Atopic diseases, allergic sensitization, and exposure to traffic-related air pollution in children.

Rationale: In vitro studies, animal experiments, and human exposure studies have shown how ambient air pollution increases the risk of atopic diseases. However, results derived from observational studies are inconsistent.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between individual-based exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and allergic disease outcomes in a prospective birth cohort study during the first 6 years of life.

Dog ownership and contact during childhood and later allergy development.

The effect of dog ownership during childhood on the development of allergy has been investigated in few studies with conflicting results. The association between dog contact and indoor endotoxin exposure during infancy and the development of allergic sensitisation and atopic disease up to age 6 yrs was investigated. Two ongoing birth cohorts, the German Infant Nutrition Intervention Programme (GINI; n = 1,962) and the Influences of Lifestyle Related Factors on the Human Immune System and Development of Allergies in Children (LISA; n = 1,193), were analysed.

Traffic-related atmospheric pollutants levels during pregnancy and offspring's term birth weight: a study relying on a land-use regression exposure model.

Background: Some studies have suggested that particulate matter (PM) levels during pregnancy may be associated with birth weight. Road traffic is a major source of fine PM (PM with aero-dynamic diameter < 2.5 microm; PM(2.

Measurements of endotoxin on ambient loaded PM filters after long-term storage.

At present there exist unsolved questions, whether endotoxin measurements on PM filters show valid measurements after long-term storage of loaded PM filters. As part of the TRAPCA study we collected particles with a 50% aerodynamic cut-off diameter of 2.5 microm (PM(2.

Respiratory health and individual estimated exposure to traffic-related air pollutants in a cohort of young children.

Objectives: To estimate long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants on an individual basis and to assess adverse health effects using a combination of air pollution measurement data, data from geographical information systems (GIS) and questionnaire data.

Methods: 40 measurement sites in the city of Munich, Germany were selected at which to collect particulate matter with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microm (PM2.