Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Sensitization, and Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution in School Children

Abstract

ISEE-0179 Objective: To assess the relationship between individual-based exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and onset of allergic rhinitis in a prospective cohort study. Methods: We studied 1451 children of age 8 years and 10 years from 10 schools to investigate allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization. Allergic sensitization was measured by skin prick tests. Two indicators of traffic-related air pollution exposure were assessed, i.e. averaged concentrations of air pollutants (SO2, NO2, O3, CO and PM10) using measurements of near monitoring stations, and the residential NO2 levels estimated by a land-use regression model. Results: Positive association was found between long-term exposure to NO2 and allergic rhinitis. Onset of allergic rhinitis was higher (RR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.17–2.99) in the highest NO2 tertile categories. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that residential traffic-related air pollution exposure is associated with onset of allergic rhinitis in school children.