[Long-term exposure to urban air pollution measured through a dispersion model and the risk of asthma and allergy in children].

The impact of chronic urban air pollution on asthma and allergy remains controversial, probably because exposure is difficult to evaluate. In this cross-sectional epidemiological survey of 9- to 11-year-old children living in six French towns, levels of air pollution were estimated by using dispersion models that take into account background air pollution levels along with traffic density, topography and meteorological conditions. We estimated three-year exposure, in the school environment, to benzene, volatile organic compounds, SO2, particles less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), nitrous oxides (NO2 and NOx) and CO, which are the main urban air pollutants.

Air pollution and increased levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in children with no history of airway damage.

Air pollution is associated with a wide range of adverse respiratory events. In order to study the mechanism associated with these effects, the relationships between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a potential marker of airway inflammation, and exposure to air pollution were examined in schoolchildren. FeNO was measured in 104 children (34 asthmatics and 70 non-asthmatics) drawn from the general population simultaneously with air pollution assessments (fine particles with an aerodiameter under 2.

Smoking exposure and allergic sensitization in children according to maternal allergies.

Background: Although the negative impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on airway diseases in children is well known, the effect of ETS on allergic sensitization is still debated.

Objective: To evaluate how maternal allergies modulate the effect of tobacco exposure on allergic sensitization in childhood.

Methods: Of 9000 children in grades 4 and 5 selected in 6 cities in France, 7798 participated in a survey that consisted of an epidemiologic questionnaire, skin prick testing to common allergens, and skin examination for eczema.

In utero and childhood exposure to parental tobacco smoke, and allergies in schoolchildren.

Among early-life environmental factors, parental smoking (ETS) has been associated with adverse respiratory outcomes in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether parental smoking might lead to asthma and allergies taking into account family history of asthma, personal atopy, breast feeding as confounders and owing pets and day-care during the first 6 months of life as modifiers. About 9000 children of fourth and fifth grade were selected in six cities of France.