Household chemicals, persistent wheezing and lung function: effect modification by atopy?

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of maternal use of domestic chemicals during pregnancy on wheezing and lung function in children aged f8.5 yrs and to explore the potential modifying effect of atopy.In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a cohort study, a maternal composite household chemical exposure (CHCE) score was derived. Wheezing phenotypes from birth to age 7 yrs were assigned on the basis of reported wheeze. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced midexpiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75%)) was measured at age 8.5 yrs; and atopy by skin-prick tests at age 7.5 yrs. Multinomial logistic and linear regression models assessed the relationship between wheezing outcomes, lung function and CHCE score, and interactions with atopy.Increased CHCE score was associated with early-(,18 months) and intermediate-(18-30 months) persistent and late-onset (.30 months) wheezing in nonatopic children (adjusted odds ratio per z-score of CHCE (95% confidence interval) 1.41 (1.13-1.76), 1.43 (1.02-2.13) and 1.69 (1.19-2.41), respectively). Increasing CHCE score was associated with decrements in FEV1 and FEF25-75%.Higher domestic chemical exposure during pregnancy was associated with persistent wheeze and lung function abnormalities in nonatopic children. This may result from pre-natal developmental effects or post-natal irritant effects on the developing airway, but is unlikely to be mediated through increased hygiene in the home.

Environmental Pollutants and Pediatric Asthma

“…Research from the prospective Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) has shown that at numerous time points in a child's development, beginning in the prenatal period, exposure to chemicals from a range of domestic products is associated with persistent wheezing in preschool children [23]. The most recent analysis indicates that total chemical burden in the home is most likely to effect the nonatopic child [24]. This finding might be a part of a future science group future science group www.futuremedicine.com mechanism for the hygiene hypothesis whereby 'hygiene' may in fact be a proxy for exposure to chemicals rather than a reduced exposure to microbial or bacterial factors.…”

Old and New Air Pollutants: An Evaluation on Thirty Years Experiences

“…Similarly, in a recent population based case-control study of children in Western Australia, two to threefold increased odds of asthma was reported among children exposed to benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene (Rumchev et al, 2004). Indoor residential chemicals, emitted from particle board, plastic materials, recent painting, home cleaning agents, air freshener, pesticide, and insecticide, consistently increase the risks of multiple allergic symptoms and asthma-like symptoms (Henderson et al, 2008;Mendell et al ., 2007). As far as respiratory deseases, VOCs are responsible for allergic skin reaction, neurological toxicity, lung cancer, and eye and throat irritation, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea and neurological symptoms such as lethargy and depression (Guo et al, 2004).…”

Household chemicals: good housekeeping or occupational hazard?

“…In the current issue of the European Respiratory Journal, HENDERSON et al [15] report on the association between mothers' use of household chemical products during pregnancy and persistent wheeze in school-aged children. HENDERSON et al [15] found an association between maternal exposure to household chemicals during pregnancy and various wheeze phenotypes, including early and intermediateonset persistent wheeze, in the children when they reached 7 yrs of age.…”

“…HENDERSON et al [15] found an association between maternal exposure to household chemicals during pregnancy and various wheeze phenotypes, including early and intermediateonset persistent wheeze, in the children when they reached 7 yrs of age. They also report a small adverse impact of these products on lung function in children, measured at age 8.5 yrs.…”