(2011). Health effects of particulate air pollution: A review of epidemiological evidence. Inhalation Toxicology: Vol. 23, No. 10, pp. 555-592.

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. Methods: We studied 2,860 children at the age of 4 years and 3,061 at the age of 6 years to investigate atopic diseases and allergic sensitization. Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM_2.5), PM_2.5 absorbance, and long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) was assessed at residential addresses using geographic information systems based regression models and air pollution measurements. The distance to the nearest main road was used as a surrogate for traffic-related air pollutants. Measurements and Main Results: Strong positive associations were found between the distance to the nearest main road and asthmatic bronchitis, hay fever, eczema, and sensitization. A distance-dependent relationship could be identified, with the highest odds ratios (ORs) for children living less than 50 m from busy streets. For PM_2.5 absorbance, statistically significant effects were found for asthmatic bronchitis (OR, 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.37), hay fever (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.11–2.27), and allergic sensitization to pollen (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.20–1.64). NO₂ exposure was associated with eczema, whereas no association was found for allergic sensitization. Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence for increased risk of atopic diseases and allergic sensitization when children are exposed to ambient particulate matter.

Background: There is evidence for adverse effects of outdoor air pollution on lung function of children. Quantitative summaries of the effects of air pollution on lung function, however, are lacking due to large differences among studies.Objectives: We aimed to study the association between residential exposure to air pollution and lung function in five European birth cohorts with a standardized exposure assessment following a common protocol.Methods: As part of the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE) we analyzed data from birth cohort studies situated in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom that measured lung function at 6–8 years of age (n = 5,921). Annual average exposure to air pollution [nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOx), mass concentrations of particulate matter with diameters < 2.5, < 10, and 2.5–10 μm (PM2.5, PM10, and PMcoarse), and PM2.5 absorbance] at the birth address and current address was estimated by land-use regression models. Associations of lung fun...