A new study has found that infants exposed to higher levels of air pollution are more likely to develop peanut allergies that persist throughout childhood. The research, conducted by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne, suggests that improving air quality could reduce the prevalence of peanut allergies in children.
The study identified that exposure to air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), from infancy was associated with an increased likelihood of developing peanut allergies. The effect appeared to continue through the first decade of life. Interestingly, the study did not observe a similar association for other allergic conditions such as egg allergies or eczema.
The research, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, is the first of its kind to examine the relationship between air pollution and food allergies over the course of childhood. It followed 5,276 children from the HealthNuts study in Melbourne, starting at age one and continuing through follow-ups at ages four, six, and ten.
MCRI’s Associate Professor Rachel Peters explained that the study found higher air pollution levels to be a significant risk factor for the development and persistence of peanut allergies, even in a city like Melbourne, which typically enjoys relatively good air quality compared to other global cities.
University of Melbourne’s Dr. Diego Lopez suggested that co-exposure to both air pollutants and peanut allergens may increase the risk of developing peanut allergies. “Air pollutants have an irritant and inflammatory effect on the immune system, potentially leading to an increased allergic response,” Lopez said. However, he emphasized that more research is needed to understand why this effect is specific to peanut allergies and not other conditions like eczema or egg allergies.
In Australia, allergic diseases are a major public health concern, with one in ten children developing food allergies by their first birthday. Associate Professor Peters added that public policies aimed at reducing air pollution could potentially help curb the development of peanut allergies in children.
The study underscores the importance of early-life interventions to mitigate exposure to air pollution. Peters noted that improving urban design, enhancing public transport systems, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources could play a key role in reducing childhood peanut allergies.
One Melbourne family knows the impact of peanut allergies all too well. Mae, now eight, was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, including peanuts, at just eight months old after suffering a severe allergic reaction. Her mother, Eleanor Jenkin, recalls several anaphylactic episodes, including a particularly frightening experience during a food challenge to test Mae’s tolerance for egg. Since then, Mae has had to carry an EpiPen at all times.
Eleanor expressed her hope that this new research will lead to a better understanding of the causes of food allergies, including the role of air pollution. “There are many reasons why we need to address air pollution, and if it contributes to allergies, that’s just another reason to act,” she said.
The MCRI study is part of a broader effort to investigate the impact of environmental factors, including air pollution and climate change, on children’s health. The GenV study, which is tracking the health and wellbeing of over 120,000 Victorians from birth to old age, is also looking at how environmental conditions like heatwaves and air quality affect children’s health.
MCRI researchers are linking this environmental data with health outcomes, hoping to provide a clearer picture of how climate change influences childhood health and identify those most vulnerable to its effects. Associate Professor Suzanne Mavoa, who is involved in the GenV study, stressed the importance of using this information to develop policies and interventions to protect children from the growing risks associated with climate change.
The findings from this study were a collaborative effort, with contributions from researchers at Monash University, the University of Sydney, The Royal Children’s Hospital, and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria. The research was also supported by national organizations such as the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) and the Centre for Food Allergy Research (CFAR), both hosted at MCRI to drive advances in allergic disease research across Australia.
As the understanding of air pollution’s role in allergies grows, so too does the hope that targeted interventions could alleviate the burden of allergic diseases for future generations.
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