The Association between the Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Indoor Atmosphere and Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms in Children Aged between 4 and 13 Years: A Pilot Study.
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ABSTRACT: Background
A correlation between the harmful effects of air pollutants and atopic dermatitis has been reported. There are few studies on the correlation between the concentration of heavy metals in the indoor atmosphere and symptoms of atopic dermatitis.Methods
Twenty-two homes of children showing atopic dermatitis symptoms were enrolled, and eighteen homes with similarly aged children without symptoms or a history of atopic dermatitis participated as a control group. We measured the concentrations of various air pollutants (particulate matter 10, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, radon, bacterial aerosols, and mold) as well as various heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, in the living room and children's bedroom of each home.Results
Lead was more commonly detected in the indoor air in houses of children with atopic dermatitis (15/22) as compared to in the control group (3/18) (chi square test, p = 0.002). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, VOCs and lead were significantly associated with atopic dermatitis (p < 0.05).Conclusion
Our study shows that lead in indoor air might be associated with atopic dermatitis, even if the concentrations of airborne lead are below the safety levels suggested by health guidelines.
SUBMITTER: Choi HS
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8625560 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:PurposeEvidence supporting a link between indoor formaldehyde exposure and atopic dermatitis (AD) in humans is limited. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether AD symptoms in children could be affected by indoor formaldehyde levels in ordinary households.MethodsFifty-five children with moderate-to-severe AD aged under 18 years were enrolled as a panel. They were followed up from February 2019 through February 2020. Indoor formaldehyde levels of patients' houses and their AD symptoms were repeatedly measured on a daily basis. The generalized linear mixed model was utilized for statistical analysis. Subdivision analysis was performed by stratifying patients by sex, body mass index, presence of parental allergy, and indoor environments including mold/dampness, temperature, and relative humidity (RH).ResultsA total of 4,789 person-days of AD symptom data were collected. The average concentration of formaldehyde was 13.6 ± 16.4 ppb, with the highest value found in spring (18.1 ± 20.6 ppb). Higher levels of formaldehyde were observed when there was parental smoking, increased indoor temperature over 25.5°C, or RH over 60% (P < 0.0001). When the effect size was compared between each season after controlling for ambient particulate matter, temperature, and RH, an increase in 10 ppb of formaldehyde increased AD symptoms by 79.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.6-168.4) in spring and by 39.9% (95% CI, 14.3-71.2) in summer. AD symptoms in children aged 6-18 years appeared to increase significantly, whereas there was no significant increase in children under 6 years. When indoor temperature was over 25.5°C, an increase in formaldehyde by 10 ppb increased AD symptoms by 17.8% (95% CI, 3.9-33.6).ConclusionsIndoor formaldehyde can exacerbate AD symptom in children with moderate-to-severe AD, particularly in spring and summer, even at allowable levels. Thus, minimizing exposure to indoor formaldehyde may be needed for the proper management of AD in children.
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Project description:This study aimed to investigate the short-term effect of exposure to indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms in children. Sixty-four children (40 boys and 24 girls) with moderate-to-severe AD, aged under 18 years were enrolled in the study. They were followed up from February 2019 through November 2020. Exposure to indoor PM2.5 in each household of the enrolled children and their AD symptoms were measured daily. The generalized linear mixed model was utilized for statistical analysis. Subdivision analysis was performed by stratifying the patients by age, sex, season, severity, the presence of family allergic diseases, sensitization, and indoor environment conditions including temperature and relative humidity. A total of 9,321 person-days of AD symptom data were collected. The average PM2.5 concentration was 28.7 ± 24.3 µg/m3, with the highest value in winter (47.1 ± 29.6 µg/m3). The overall effect of PM2.5 on AD symptoms was not statistically significant. However, an increase of 10 µg/m3 in indoor PM2.5 concentration increased AD symptom scores by 16.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 27.5) in spring and12.6% (95% CI: 4.3, 21.5) in winter, 6.7% (95% CI: 2.3, 11.3) at indoor temperatures of <25.5 °C, and by 15.0% (95% CI: 3.5, 27.7) with no use of an air purifier. The harmful effect of PM2.5 in boys, in children aged ≥6 years, and in children with inhalant allergen sensitization was significant, showing an increase in AD symptoms of 4.9% (95% CI: 1.4, 8.6), 12.0% (95% CI: 5.3, 19.1), and 7.0% (95% CI: 1.9, 12.3) per 10 µg/m3 of PM2.5, respectively. Furthermore, children with inhalant allergen sensitization plus severe symptoms (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis, SCORAD ≥ 30.7, median value) showed more harmful effects from exposure to PM2.5 (15.7% (95% CI: 4.5, 28.1) increase in AD symptom scores per 10 µg/m3 of PM2.5 increase). Indoor exposure to PM2.5 exacerbated AD symptoms in children in spring, winter, and at indoor temperatures of < 25.5 °C. In particular, this harmful effect was prominent in children with inhalant allergen sensitization and severe symptoms. Minimizing exposure to indoor PM2.5 is needed for the proper management of AD.
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Project description:BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA) may share genetic risk factors. It is unknown whether genetic factors directly cause FA or are mediated through AD, as the dual-allergen hypothesis suggests.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that AD mediates the relationship between an IL-4 receptor alpha chain gene (IL4RA) variant, the human IL-4 receptor alpha chain protein-R576 polymorphism, and FA.MethodsA total of 433 children with asthma enrolled in the School Inner-City Asthma Study underwent genotyping for the IL4RA576 allele. Surveys were administered to determine FA, AD, and associated allergic responses. Mediation analysis was performed adjusting for race and ethnicity, age, sex, and household income. Multivariate models were used to determine the association between genotype and FA severity.ResultsAD was reported in 193 (45%) and FA in 80 children (19%). Each risk allele increased odds of AD 1.39-fold ([1.03-1.87], P = .03), and AD increased odds of FA 3.67-fold ([2.05- 6.57], P < .01). There was an indirect effect of genotype, mediated by AD, predicting FA; each risk allele increased the odds of FA by 1.13 (odds ratio [95% CI], Q/R = 1.13 [1.02-1.24], R/R = 1.28 [1.04-1.51]; P < .01). Each risk allele increased the odds of severe FA symptoms 2.68-fold ([1.26-5.71], P = .01).ConclusionsIn a cohort of children with asthma, AD is part of the causal pathway between an IL4RA variant and FA. This variant is associated with increased risk of severe FA reactions. Addressing AD in children with an IL4RA polymorphism may modulate the risk of FA.
| S-EPMC9811396 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAutism, a childhood behavioral disorder, belongs to a large suite of diseases, collectively referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Though multifactorial in etiology, approximately 10% of ASD are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Moreover, ASD prevalence increases further as AD severity worsens, though these disorders share no common causative mutations. We assessed here the link between these two disorders in the standard, valproic acid mouse model of ASD. In prior studies, there was no evidence of skin involvement, but we hypothesized that cutaneous involvement could be detected in experiments conducted in BALB/c mice. BALB/c is an albino, laboratory-bred strain of the house mouse and is among the most widely used inbred strains used in animal experimentation.MethodsWe performed our studies in valproic acid (VPA)-treated BALB/c hairless mice, a standard mouse model of ASD. Mid-trimester pregnant mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of either valproic acid sodium salt dissolved in saline or saline alone on embryonic day 12.5 and were housed individually until postnatal day 21. Only the brain and epidermis appeared to be affected, while other tissues remain unchanged. At various postnatal time points, brain, skin and blood samples were obtained for histology and for quantitation of tissue sphingolipid content and cytokine levels.ResultsAD-like changes in ceramide content occurred by day one postpartum in both VPA-treated mouse skin and brain. The temporal co-emergence of AD and ASD, and the AD phenotype-dependent increase in ASD prevalence correlated with early appearance of cytokine markers (i.e., interleukin [IL]-4, 5, and 13), as well as mast cells in skin and brain. The high levels of interferon (IFN)γ not only in skin, but also in brain likely account for a significant decline in esterified very-long-chain N-acyl fatty acids in brain ceramides, again mimicking known IFNγ-induced changes in AD.ConclusionBaseline involvement of both AD and ASD could reflect concurrent neuro- and epidermal toxicity, possibly because both epidermis and neural tissues originate from the embryonic neuroectoderm. These studies illuminate the shared susceptibility of the brain and epidermis to a known neurotoxin, suggesting that the atopic diathesis could be extended to include ASD.
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Project description:IntroductionFly ash is a waste product generated from burning coal for electricity. It is comprised of spherical particles ranging in size from 0.1 µm to over 100 µm in diameter that contain trace levels of heavy metals. Large countries such as China and India generate over 100 million tons per year while smaller countries like Italy and France generate 2 to 3 million tons per year. The USA generates over 36 million tons of ash, making it one of the largest industrial waste streams in the nation. Fly ash is stored in landfills and surface impoundments exposing communities to fugitive dust and heavy metals that leach into the groundwater. Limited information exists on the health impact of exposure to fly ash. This protocol represents the first research to assess children's exposure to coal fly ash and neurobehavioural outcomes.MethodsWe measure indoor exposure to fly ash and heavy metals, and neurobehavioural symptoms in children aged 6 to 14 years old. Using air pollution samplers and lift tape samples, we collect particulate matter ≤10 µm that is analysed for fly ash and heavy metals. Toenails and fingernails are collected to assess body burden for 72 chemical elements. Using the Behavioural Assessment and Research System and the Child Behaviour Checklist, we collect information on neurobehavioural outcomes. Data collection began in September 2015 and will continue until February 2021.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Louisville (#14.1069) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (#300003807). We have collected data from 267 children who live within 10 miles of two power plants. Children are at a greater risk for environmental exposure which justifies the rationale for this study. Results of this study will be distributed at conferences, in peer-reviewed journals and to the participants of the study.
| S-EPMC7684807 | biostudies-literature