Associations of allergic diseases with indoor and outdoor living environments in preschool children in the Taipei Metropolis

Hsing Jasmine Chao, Ya Wen Yang, Ssu Yin Chen, Ming Lun Zou, Yi Hua Chen, Ling Chu Chien

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Various environmental factors are associated with the development and exacerbation of allergic diseases. However, few studies evaluated multiple exposures simultaneously. We conducted a study to assess multiple environmental exposures and their effects on allergic diseases in preschool children in the Taipei Metropolis. We evaluated children's residential environmental exposures and their allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. According to the preliminary analysis, doctor-diagnosed asthma was positively associated with total airborne fungal spores in the living room, the number of gas stations surrounding the home, and outdoor formaldehyde. Allergic rhinitis showed a significant positive association with outdoor ozone and living room temperature. Atopic dermatitis was significantly and positively correlated with dustborne ascospores in the child's bed and the presence of gas stations near the home. Our findings suggest that residential environments are closely associated with children’s allergic diseases.

The prevalence of children's allergic diseases remains high worldwide, especially in developed countries in Asia. Various environmental factors are associated with the development and exacerbation of allergic diseases. However, few studies evaluated multiple exposures simultaneously, thus lacking a comprehensive evaluation of their impacts on allergic diseases. We conducted a study to assess multiple environmental exposures and their effects on allergic diseases in preschool children in the Taipei Metropolis. We recruited children under six years old in the Taipei Metropolitan area starting in March 2017. We evaluated children's residential environmental exposures and their allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. The information on children's social demographic data, health history, and home environmental characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Indoor and outdoor air pollutants (e.g., particulates, formaldehyde, and ozone) and environmental microbiome (e.g., microbiota and allergens) were measured in children's bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoor/balconies. Land use types near children's homes were evaluated using buffer analysis in the Geographic Information System. According to the preliminary analysis, doctor-diagnosed asthma was positively associated with total airborne fungal spores in the living room, the number of gas stations surrounding the home, and outdoor formaldehyde. Doctor-diagnosed allergic rhinitis showed a significant positive association with outdoor ozone and living room temperature. Doctor-diagnosed atopic dermatitis was significantly and positively correlated with dustborne ascospores in the child's bed and the presence of gas stations near the home. In addition, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Pleosporales in the environment was significantly higher in children with allergic rhinitis. The abundance of Gordonia and Diatrypella was significantly higher in children with atopic dermatitis. Our findings suggest that residential environments are closely associated with children’s allergic diseases. Proper home maintenance and urban planning are crucial to avoid children’s exposure to pollutants and promote their health.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Conference Program and Proceedings
PublisherInternational Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
ISBN (Electronic)9798331306816
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event18th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Honolulu, United States
Duration: Jul 7 2024Jul 11 2024

Publication series

Name18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Conference Program and Proceedings

Conference

Conference18th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu
Period7/7/247/11/24

Keywords

  • air pollutants
  • allergic rhinitis
  • asthma
  • atopic dermatitis
  • environmental microbiome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution

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