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118664 
Journal Article 
Air pollution and childhood allergies in the United States 
Parker, J; Akinbami, L; Kravets, N 
2007 
Yes 
Epidemiology
ISSN: 1044-3983
EISSN: 1531-5487 
18(5) 
S202 
English 
is a supplement to 192359 Air pollution and childhood respiratory allergies in the United States
Objective:
To examine the association between air pollution and childhood respiratory allergies using data from a large US survey. Childhood respiratory allergies lead to missed school days and other activity limitations. The role of air pollution on allergic reaction is uncertain.
Materials and Methods:
The 1997 to 2003 National Health Interview Survey was linked to ambient pollution monitoring data from the US EPA. Allergy was defined by the respondent (typically parent) affirming that the child had had either hay fever or respiratory allergy in the past year. Annual exposures to ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide were assigned using pollution monitors within 20 miles of the child's residential block group.
Results:
African American children had a higher prevalence of allergies (19%) than either white (11%) or Mexican American children (16%). Children with allergies were more likely to miss >3 days of school (40.4%) than those without allergies (23.0%). After controlling for potentially confounding factors, a 10 ppb increase in ozone exposure was associated with increased allergy prevalence [OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.12-1.23)]. This association was much stronger among children in more urban areas [OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.24-1.46)] than among those in less urban areas [OR 1.07 (95% CI 0.98-1.17)]. Findings were similar for the subgroup of children with health insurance and a usual source of care and, for the most part, by race/ethnicity and poverty status. Other pollutants had neither independent nor confounding effects on the association. Results were similar between states that monitor ozone over 12 months and those that monitor only during the ozone season.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that ozone exposure may exacerbate allergic reactions among US children. Flora differences between urban and less urban areas may contribute to the differential effect of air pollution on allergies by urbanicity.