Environmental Exposures may Hold the Key; Impact of Air Pollution, Greenness, and Rural/Farm Lifestyle on Allergic Outcomes.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW There has been an increased prevalence of allergy. Due to this relatively rapid rise, changes in environmental exposures are likely the main contributor. In this review, we highlight literature from the last 3 years pertaining to the role of air pollution, greenness, and the rural/farm lifestyle and their association with the development of allergic sensitization, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and allergic rhinitis in infancy and childhood. Because asthma has a more complex pathophysiology, it was excluded from this review. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies support a role for air pollution, greenness, and rural/farming lifestyle influencing atopic outcomes that continue to be defined. While many studies have examined singular environmental exposures, the interconnectedness of these exposures and others points to a need for future work to consider an individual's whole exposure. Environmental exposures' influence on atopic disease development remains an ongoing and important area of study.