Indoor Pollutant Exposures Modify the Effect of Airborne Endotoxin on Asthma in Urban Children

Abstract

The effects of household airborne endotoxin exposure on asthma are modified by coexposure to air nicotine and NO2, and these pollutants have opposite effects on the relationships between endotoxin and asthma-related outcomes.

Homes of low-income minority families with asthmatic children have increased condition issues

“…They can be further modified by many coexposures such as endotoxin and nitrogen oxides further complicating the relationships between indoor environmental parameters and asthma-related outcomes. 13 In addition to indoor environmental exposures, lowincome racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods tend to be situated adjacent to highways and bus depots; proximity to areas of large vehicle traffic results in ambient particulate matter and diesel fumes pervading from the outside and high lead contamination of the plants and dirt. 5 Findings from a cross-sectional study among children Ͻ6 years of age revealed that roughly 39% of doctor-diagnosed cases of asthma among children in the United States could be avoided by eliminating indoor environmental exposures.…”

“…16 Although the causes of asthma are still unclear, strong evidence suggests that indoor environmental exposures play a major role. 2,5,[11][12][13][14][15]17,18 The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology stresses the control of exposures to indoor allergens and environmental tobacco smoke as an important part of an asthma management plan. 19 However, it is unclear how the structural condition of homes among asthmatic subjects varies by race.…”

Update in Asthma 2013

“…By contrast, Matsui and colleagues found a surprising interaction between exposure to endotoxin and concomitant exposure to either tobacco or NO 2 . Higher endotoxin exposure was associated with an increased risk of acute events in 146 children and adolescents with asthma when tobacco exposure was detectable but not when tobacco exposure was undetectable (25). Conversely, higher endotoxin exposure was associated with decreased risk of acute asthma events when NO 2 exposure was high but with increased risk when NO 2 exposure was low.…”

Advances in pediatric asthma in 2014: Moving toward a population health perspective

“…Matsui et al 55 reported that the effects of household airborne endotoxin exposure on asthma are modified by coexposure to air nicotine and nitric oxide. These pollutants have opposite effects on the relationships between endotoxin and asthma-related outcomes.…”