Air pollution and childhood allergic disease

Abstract

Epidemiological studies suggest that there is a strong relationship between air pollution and childhood allergic disease. This review will summarize the association between exposure to air pollutants and subsequent development of asthma, allergies, and sensitization. Air pollutants probably induce oxidative stress, epigenetic change, and altered microRNA expression in the airway and skin, leading to immune dysregulation. This review considers acute and chronic effects of air pollution on the development and aggravation of allergic disease; the adverse health effect of air pollution on susceptible population, particular time period, and coexposure to allergens; and potential mechanisms involving development of allergic disease by exposure to air pollutants.