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All issues > Volume 54(12); 2011
Comparison of air pollution and the prevalence of allergy-related diseases in Incheon and Jeju City
- Corresponding author: Dae Hyun Lim, MD. Department of Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, 7-206 Shinheung-dong 3-ga, Jung-gu, Incheon 400-711, Korea. Tel: +82-32-890-2843, Fax: +82-32-890-2844, dhyunlim@inha.ac.kr
- Received September 15, 2010 Revised January 03, 2011 Accepted November 07, 2011
- Abstract
-
- Purpose
- Purpose
- A high level of air pollutants can increase the number of patients with allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). To analyze the association between air pollution and allergic disease, we investigated 2 areas in Korea: Incheon, an industrial area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area.
- Methods
- Methods
- Second grade students at elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 45 schools in Jeju) were examined in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used and a skin prick test was performed. The levels of NO2, CO2, O3, particulate matter (PM) PM10/2.5, formaldehyde, tVOCs, and dust mites in the classrooms and grounds were determined.
- Results
- Results
- The levels of outdoor CO, PM10, and PM2.5 were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The levels of indoor CO, CO2, PM10, PM2.5 were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of AR symptoms at any time, AR symptoms during the last 12 months, diagnosis of rhinitis at any time, and AR treatment during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of wheezing or whistling at any time, and wheezing during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01).
- Conclusion
- Conclusion
- We found that the children living in Incheon, which was more polluted than Jeju, had a higher rate of AR and asthma symptoms compared to children in Jeju. To determine the effect of air pollution on the development of the AR and asthma, further studies are needed.
- Introduction
- Introduction
The prevalence of allergy-related diseases has increased over the last decades. A combination of environmental exposures and inherent biological and genetic vulnerabilities implicate allergy-related diseases1,2).It is difficult to elucidate the relationship between air pollution and allergy-related diseases. Some studies have shown that exposure to air pollutants increases the response to aeroallergens3,4). One study has shown that respiratory-related allergies are more common in urban areas than in rural areas of industrialized countries4). There are also some reports that air pollution is strongly associated with the aggravation of asthma, visits to emergency centers, hospitalizations and medications5,6).Previously, we found that a statistically significant relation between air pollutants [nitric oxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) of 10 µm or less (PM10)] and the increased number of patients visiting the outpatient department and emergency center with respiratory diseases7,8). From a study of 368 middle school students, we found that PM10 had adverse effects on forced expiratory volume in one second. By measuring the levels of biomarkers such as muconic acid and 1-OH pyrene, we also found that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play a role in the presentation of asthma9,10).Other studies, however, have suggested that there is little relation between air pollution and asthma. Nicolai and von Mutius11) reported no significant difference in the prevalence of asthma in elementary school students between East Germany, an industrialized area, and West Germany, an urban area. In addition, Charpin et al.12) reported that air pollution and atopy were not significantly related.To analyze the relation between air pollution and allergy-related diseases, we investigated the levels of air pollutants and the prevalence of allergy-related diseases in Incheon, an industrialized area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area.
- Materials and methods
- Materials and methods
- 1. Subjects
- 1. Subjects
This study was performed in Incheon and Jeju, Korea. Air pollution in Incheon originates mainly from the photochemical industry. Because there are three highways and an international airport in the district, exhaust from automobiles also contributes to air pollution. The air in Jeju, however, is not exposed to any major industrial plants. Second grade students from 56 elementary schools (11 schools in the metropolitan city of Incheon and 45 schools in the Seogwipo city, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province) were enrolled in this study between October 6th, 2008 and December 5th, 2008. Written informed consent was provided by parents or guardians for all subjects. A modified version of the International Study of Asthma & Allergies in Children (ISAAC) written questionnaire (1,315 students from Incheon and 1,829 from Jeju) regarding their history of allergy-related disease, environment, life style and diet was completed for all students by their parents or guardians. Of these, 89 students in Incheon and 81 students in Jeju were excluded because of insufficient completion. In addition, some of the students were submitted to a skin prick test (1,221 students from Incheon and 170 students from Jeju). The institutional review board of our hospital approved the study.- 2. Methods
- 2. Methods
1) Measurement of air pollutants
1) Measurement of air pollutants
From December 17th to December 24th, a single measurement from 13 elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 2 schools in Jeju) was performed during the same period. In Incheon 11 schools were selected evenly according to pre-examined PM levels. But in Jeju, one school was in urban area (Seogwipo city) and the other was rural area. In 13 elementary schools, the levels of CO, CO2, O3, NO2, PM10/2.5, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (t-VOCs), house dust mites and endotoxins were checked indoors (i.e., in classrooms, cafeterias and infirmaries) and outdoors (i.e., at the playgrounds and rooftops of the schools). A Gray Wolf Sensing Solution IQ604 Indoor Air Quality Probe (GrayWolf Sensing Solutions, Shelton, CT, USA) was used to measure CO, CO2, O3, NO2, temperature and humidity. PM10 and PM2.5 were measured using a GT-331 monitor (Met One Instruments Inc., Grants Pass, OR, USA) and formaldehyde was measured using a Formaldehyde Mater w/Pump Model Z- 300XP (Environmental Sensors Co., Boca Raton, FL, USA). A ppbRAE3000 (Rae Systems Inc., San Jose, CA, USA) was used to measure t-VOC, and mite kits were used to measure house dust mites.2) Skin prick tests
2) Skin prick tests
In Incheon, 12 common allergen extracts (Allergopharma, Reinbeck, Germany) were measured, including grass, trees I mixture (alder, hazel, poplar, elm, and willow), trees II mixture (birch, beech, oak, and plane tree), mugwort, ragweed, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cockroaches, Aspergillus furmigatus, molds I mixture (alternaria, botrytis, cladosporium, curvularia, fusarium, helminthosporium), molds II mixture (aspergillus, mucor, penicillium, pullularia, rhizopus, and serpula), dog hair, cat fur. Histamine and isotonic saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. In Jeju, cedar, citrus red mite, hop japanese pollens and Tyrophagus were added to the 12 allergen extracts used in Incheon.
- 3. Statistical analysis
- 3. Statistical analysis
Data are presented as means±standard deviations (SDs) or as geometric means and a range of 1 SD. Statistical analysis for the levels of air pollutants and pulmonary function test were performed using Student's t-test. A X2 test was used to analyze the prevalence of allergy related diseases and the skin prick test. All calculations were performed with the SPSS ver. 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A probability value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
- Results
- Results
- 1. Anthropometric measurements
- 1. Anthropometric measurements
The children's mean height in Incheon was 128.7±5.9 cm and 129.3±6.0 cm in Jeju. The children's mean weight was 28.4±6.1 kg and 29.6±6.2 kg in Incheon and Jeju, respectively. The mean body mass index (BMI) percentiles in the children from Incheon was 110.6±19.2% vs. 114.7±19.5% in the children from Jeju. We found no significant differences in any of the anthrometric measurements between Incheon and Jeju students [height (P=0.36), weight (P=0.07) and BMI percentiles (P=0.17)] (Table 1).- 2. Level of indoor and outdoor air pollutants at the elementary schools
- 2. Level of indoor and outdoor air pollutants at the elementary schools
In outdoor measurements, the levels of CO, PM10 and PM2.5 in Incheon were higher than those in Jeju (0.4114±0.0735 ppm, 52.37±5.78 µg/m3, 14.30±2.25 µg/m3, respectively, in Incheon vs. 0.0975±0.0448 ppm, 20.00±2.28 µg/m3, 4.10±0.10 µg/m3, respectively, in Jeju). Ozone levels were higher in Jeju (0.0230±0.0063 ppm) (Table 2). In indoor measurements, the levels of CO, CO2, PM10, PM2.5, t-VOC were higher in Incheon than in Jeju (1.2525±0.0812 ppm, 2,001.6±100.4 ppm, 154.20±13.02 µg/m3, 17.78±1.47 µg/m3, and 226.25±62.74 µg/m3 vs. 0.5317±0.1428 ppm, 1,038.5±102.2 ppm, 59.36±5.86 µg/m3, 5.61±0.68 µg/m3, 64.51±36.85 µg/m3, respectively) (Table 3).- 3. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma as determined by written questionnaire
- 3. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma as determined by written questionnaire
The prevalences of "sneezing or blocked nose without a cold or flu, ever", "sneezing or blocked nose without a cold or flu, last 12 months", "diagnosis of rhinitis, ever", "treatment of AR, last 12 months", and "treatment of non-AR, last 12 months" in Incheon were 48.34%, 44.44%, 34.13%, 27.42%, and 35.92% significantly higher than in Jeju 36.05%, 28.69%, 20.02%, 14.59%, and 17.08%. The prevalences of "wheeze or whistling ever", and "wheezing, last 12 months" in Incheon were 24.80% and 9.50% significantly higher than in Jeju 18.80%, and 6.83% (Table 4).- 4. Sensitization to allergens
- 4. Sensitization to allergens
The sensitization rate to D. farinae was significantly different between Incheon and Jeju (24.58% vs. 31.40%, P=0.03). Statistical analysis was not possible for most allergens, except for house dust mites (Table 5).
- Discussion
- Discussion
We found that the children living in Incheon, which was polluted with higher levels of PM had a higher prevalence of the symptoms of AR and asthma compared to children in Jeju. During the last decade, the respective annual mean airborne PM10 levels in Incheon and Jeju were 57 µg/m3 vs. 38 µg/m3 in 2002, 61 µg/m3 vs. 35 µg/m3 in 2003, 62 µg/m3 vs. 40 µg/m3 in 2004, 61 µg/m3 vs. 42 µg/m3 in 2005, 68 µg/m3 vs. 45 µg/m3 in 2006, and 64 µg/m3 vs. 39 µg/m3 in 200715). The level of airborne PM10 in Incheon has been consistently higher than in Jeju over the last decade. This is consistent with our measurements. Traffics from diesel trucks and buses on the roads contribute a large proportion of PM10 level in urban areas16), and three express highways cross the Incheon area. Airborne PM less than 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) is a complex mixture of materials having a carbonaceous core and associated materials such as organic compounds, acids, and fine particles of metals17). PM10 or diesel extract particles augment lung inflammation by inhalant allergens or respiratory viral infection via acting as an adjuvant. The response may lead to enhancement of already existing allergies or immunoglobulin E response to neoallergens and susceptibility to respiratory infection. This adjuvant effect is exerted by the enhanced production of inflammatory Th2 and/or Th1 cytokines18,19).Choudhury et al.20) reported that a significant positive association between asthma morbidity and PM10 pollution was observed. This finding also support the hypothesis that air pollution, at levels below the current ambient air quality standards is harmful to sensitive subjects, such as asthmatic children. In this study, the level of outdoor ozone was higher in Jeju than in Incheon. However, the prevalence of allergy-related symptoms was not higher in children living in Jeju compared to those in Incheon. Thus, we can conclude that airborne PM and not ozone primarily influences development and aggravation of allergy-related symptoms.ISAAC, which Korea joined in 1995, has enabled us to compare prevalence between countries. Korea has participated in three ISAAC surveys: two nationwide surveys in 1995 and 2000, and one regional survey in Seoul city in 2005. According to the survey results of Seoul city, the last 12-month prevalence of wheezing decreased from 10.5% in 1995 to 5.2% in 2000, and then to 5.5% in 2005; the lifetime prevalence of asthma diagnosis has been relatively constant: 8.7% in 1995, 9.4% in 2000, and 7.6% in 2005; the lifetime prevalence of AR diagnosis has increased 16.8% in 1995, 22.0% in 2000, 26.4% in 200521-23). According to previous study in the Songpa area of Seoul in 2008, the prevalence of AR symptoms ever was 42.5%, AR symptoms during the last 12 months was 39.0%, AR diagnosis from the doctor was 38.5%, treatment of AR, last 12 months was 29.5%. This is consistent with our results in Incheon24).The prevalence of allergic diseases tends to be lower in rural areas, which may have high exposure rates to microbial environments, than in urban areas25).In our study, the number of enrolled students in the skin prick test in Jeju is lower than in Incheon. So it is difficult to compare the atopic status of both area. But the most common allergens identified by skin prick tests in Korean students are house dust mites. And the sensitization rate of house dust mite in Jeju corresponds with the results of a recent study26). Thus we could compare atopic status of both area. We found that the sensitization rate of children to house dust mites (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) was lower in Incheon children compared to Jeju children. This finding does not correspond with the results of a recent study, which reported that the sensitization rate was higher in Seoul than in Jeongeup27). Ahn and Choi28) reported that, in 661 randomly selected 6 to 12 years old children at a school in Seoul, the positive skin reaction rates were 40.7% for D. pteronyssinus and 44.3% for D. farinae. Yang et al.29) reported a skin prick positivity of D. farinae (20.4%) and house dust (14.7%). Lee et al.30) reported that the prevalence of skin reactivity in D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae was 17.0% and 15.5%, respectively, in a group of 6 to 8 years old. In addition, in rural areas of Jeju island, the sensitization rates to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, among the younger age groups (7 to 12 years) were 20.6% and 24.4%, respectively31). The results of the skin test among young medical students in Seoul with or without respiratory allergy or, atopy were present for D. pteronyssinus 37.9%, and D. farinae 35.7%32).In this study, we found that the increase of PM10/2.5 could be associated with the development and aggravation of AR and asthma in children, independent of allergic sensitization.The small number of enrolled students in the skin prick test in Jeju is a limitation. Thus we cannot claim a definitive association between air pollution and atopic status of the children living in the different communities. In the near future, we will continue this comparison study to elucidate the relationship between air pollution and allergy-related disease. In this cross-sectional analysis, the children living in Incheon, who were exposed to a higher level of outdoor PM10/2.5 and CO than children living in Jeju, showed more allergy-related symptoms by questionnaire.In conclusion, in the area of higher air pollutants such as CO, PM10 and PM2.5, the higher prevalence of allergy by questionnaire such as AR symptoms, diagnosis rate and treatment rate and asthma symptoms was found. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between air pollution and allergy-related disease.
- Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Ministry of Environment, Korea and Inha University.
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