Exposure to ambient ultrafine particles and allergic sensitization in children up to 16 years

Femke Bouma; Gerard Hoek; Gerard H Koppelman; Judith M Vonk; Jules Kerckhoffs; Roel Vermeulen; Ulrike Gehring

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.115102

Exposure to ambient ultrafine particles and allergic sensitization in children up to 16 years

Environ Res. 2023 Feb 15:219:115102. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115102. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

Authors

Femke Bouma¹, Gerard Hoek², Gerard H Koppelman³, Judith M Vonk⁴, Jules Kerckhoffs², Roel Vermeulen⁵, Ulrike Gehring²

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: f.l.bouma@uu.nl.
² Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
³ Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁴ Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁵ Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

PMID: 36565840
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115102

Abstract

Background: Few epidemiological studies so far have investigated the role of long-term exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) in inhalant and food allergy development.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between UFP exposure and allergic sensitization to inhalant and food allergens in children up to 16 years old in the Netherlands.

Methods: 2295 participants of a prospective birth cohort with IgE measurements to common inhalant and food allergens at ages 4, 8, 12 and/or 16 were included in the study. Annual average UFP concentrations were estimated for the home addresses at birth and at the time of the IgE measurements using land-use regression models. Generalized estimating equations were used for the assessment of overall and age-specific associations between UFP exposure and allergic sensitization. Additionally, single- and two-pollutant models with NO₂, PM_2.5, PM_2.5 absorbance and PM₁₀ were assessed.

Results: We found no significant associations between UFP exposure and allergic sensitization to inhalant and food allergens (OR (95% CI) ranging from 1.02 (0.95-1.10) to 1.05 (0.98-1.12), per IQR increment). NO₂, PM_2.5, PM_2.5 absorbance and PM₁₀ showed significant associations with sensitization to food allergens (OR (95% CI) ranging from 1.09 (1.00-1.20) to 1.23 (1.06-1.43) per IQR increment). NO₂, PM_2.5, PM_2.5 absorbance and PM₁₀ were not associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens. For NO₂, PM_2.5 and PM_2.5 absorbance, the associations with sensitization to food allergens persisted in two-pollutant models with UFP.

Conclusion: This study found no association between annual average exposure to UFP and allergic sensitization in children up to 16 years of age. NO₂, PM_2.5, PM_2.5 absorbance and PM₁₀ were associated with sensitization to food allergens.

Keywords: Air pollution; Allergy; Children; IgE sensitization; Inhalant and food allergens; Ultrafine particles.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution* / analysis
Child
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Pollutants*
Female
Food Hypersensitivity* / epidemiology
Food Hypersensitivity* / etiology
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Infant, Newborn
Nitrogen Dioxide / analysis
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Prospective Studies

Substances

Particulate Matter
Air Pollutants
Nitrogen Dioxide
Environmental Pollutants
Immunoglobulin E