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.

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.