Residential greenness is differentially associated with childhood allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitization in seven birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is high, but the role of environmental factors remains unclear. We examined cohort-specific and combined associations of residential greenness with allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitization based on individual data from Swedish (BAMSE), Australian (MACS), Dutch (PIAMA), Canadian (CAPPS and SAGE), and German (GINIplus and LISAplus) birth cohorts (n = 13 016). METHODS: Allergic rhinitis (doctor diagnosis/symptoms) and aeroallergen sensitization were assessed in children aged 6-8 years in six cohorts and 10-12 years in five cohorts. Residential greenness was defined as the mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in a 500-m buffer around the home address at the time of health assessment. Cohort-specific associations per 0.2 unit increase in NDVI were assessed using logistic regression models and combined in a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Greenness in a 500-m buffer was positively associated with allergic rhinitis at 6-8 years in BAMSE (odds ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [1.13, 1.79]) and GINI/LISA South (1.69 [1.19, 2.41]) but inversely associated in GINI/LISA North (0.61 [0.36, 1.01]) and PIAMA (0.67 [0.47, 0.95]). Effect estimates in CAPPS and SAGE were also conflicting but not significant (0.63 [0.32, 1.24] and 1.31 [0.81, 2.12], respectively). All meta-analyses were nonsignificant. Results were similar for aeroallergen sensitization at 6-8 years and both outcomes at 10-12 years. Stratification by NO2 concentrations, population density, an urban vs rural marker, and moving did not reveal consistent trends within subgroups. CONCLUSION: Although residential greenness appears to be associated with childhood allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitization, the effect direction varies by location.

[Measurement of respiratory resistance in healthy persons in the winter of 1985/86 and in January/February 1987]. / Atemwiderstandsmessungen bei Gesunden im Winterhalbjahr 1985/86 und im Januar/Februar 1987.

From November to May 1986 oscillatory resistance Ros was measured 6 times in 72 healthy persons in Cologne. Every person was examined at a fixed time of day, respiratory symptoms and bronchopulmonary diseases were considered. Seasonal fluctuations of resistance were found, with slightly elevated values in autumn and spring compared to the winter. Regression analysis showed a decrease of the mean and range of resistance with increasing height and a slight increase in smokers. There was no relation between the seasonal pattern of resistance and the air pollutants, as expected due to relatively low ambient concentrations. When in January 1987 ambient pollution increased, the investigation was repeated on Jan 21, 1987, the day with the highest concentration (daily average of SO2: 256 micrograms/m3). In February control investigations were performed. The resistance was significantly elevated in January 1987 compared to February 87 or to January 86. These results agree with those of other authors, who found a slight impairment of lung function in healthy persons when daily averages of SO2 concentrations exceeded 250 micrograms/m3. However, changes of the same or a greater extent may be caused by meteorological factors.

[Biological effect of fine atmospheric dust extracts. IX. Quantitative cytologic study of the cytotoxic effect of fine atmospheric dust extracts on macrophages]. / Biologische Wirkung von Atmosphärischen Feinstaubextrakten. IX. Quantitativ-cytologische Untersuchung zur zytotoxischen Wirkung atmosphärischer Feinstaubextrakte auf Makrophagen in vitro.

Macrophages of cell line IC-21 were exposed to extracts and fractions of two samples of city smog (CSE 16 and 17) from the heavy industrialized Rhine-Ruhr-area. Cytotoxic effects of extracts and fractions were analysed in various concentrations and periods of incubation. As cytotoxic parameters were determined frequencies of mitosis and pycnosis of nuclei as well as occurrence of multinucleated giant cells. An increasing dosage of noxae showed a reduction of mitotic rate, a rise of pycnosis of nuclei and of multinucleated giant cells. For both city smog extracts these effects depended on incubation period and concentration of noxae. While the global extract of city smog no. 16 was always more effective than its fractions, with city smog no. 17 the strongest alterations were demonstrable by its cyclohexane-fraction and partly by its methanol-fraction. Based on air volume of collection both samples of city smog revealed a comparable cytotoxic effect. In relation to benzo(a)pyrene-content, however, city smog no. 17 was considerable more cytotoxic than city smog no. 16. These results confirm again cytotoxicity of city smog. It can be assumed that both samples of city smog impair defense mechanisms of the lung.

[Lung function and carboxyhemoglobin during the smog episode of January 1987]. / Lungenfunktion und Carboxyhämoglobin in der Smogsituation des Januar 1987.

During a phase of elevated ambient air pollution in January 1987 the alert level of the smog alarm recommendation in Northrhine Westfalia (FRG) was reached. The average concentrations during examinations were 0.255 mg/m3 SO2 and 3.2 mg/m3 CO at the closest station. In 111 healthy persons in Cologne and Düsseldorf, resistance measured by oscillatory method was elevated during this period compared to control examinations. In 59 patients with moderate airway-obstruction from different parts of West Germany lung function showed further deterioration during the smog phase: Airway resistance measured by body-plethysmography was higher than during a control period, FVC, FEV1, PEF and MEF75 were decreased. Finally levels of carboxyhemoglobin in blood also were increased in 46 healthy nonsmokers. The investigation shows, that even in moderate smog episodes (compared to earlier years) small, but consistent changes of lung function parameter can be measured.