Babies exposed to polluted air are more likely to develop peanut allergies as they grow, according to new research from Australia.
However, this link was not observed with other immune-based conditions such as egg allergies or eczema, the researchers found.
The study, led by Dr. Diego Lopez from the University of Melbourne, highlights the potential role of environmental pollution in the rise of food allergies. "Air pollutants have an irritant and inflammatory effect that may boost the immune system’s pro-allergic response, potentially triggering the development of food allergies," said Dr. Lopez, a researcher at the university's School of Population and Global Health. However, the precise mechanisms by which pollution increases the risk of peanut allergies, while sparing conditions like egg allergy or eczema, remain unclear.
This groundbreaking study followed nearly 5,300 children from Melbourne, who were enrolled at the age of one and monitored at ages four, six, and ten. The researchers tracked local air pollution levels in the children's neighborhoods, focusing on two key pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Their analysis revealed a significant correlation between rising pollution levels and an increased likelihood of developing peanut allergies.
Food allergies in the children were diagnosed using a food challenge, considered the "gold standard" in allergy diagnosis. According to MCRI researcher and associate professor Rachel Peters, who was not involved in the study, these findings align with the theory that environmental factors are contributing to the growing rates of allergies.
Melbourne resident Eleanor Jenkin, whose 8-year-old daughter Mae suffers from a severe egg allergy, praised the research as crucial for families managing food allergies. "Multiple factors are behind the allergy epidemic, and if higher levels of air pollution are impacting the prevalence and persistence, then that's an important discovery," Jenkin said. "We want to see the quality of life improve for children living with allergies, and the more we know about how to prevent them, the better."
The full findings of the study will be published in the *Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice on Wednesday.
