OBJECTIVE: Exposure to indoor pollutants and allergens has been speculated to cause asthma symptoms and exacerbations and influence the risk of developing asthma. The aim of this article is to review the medical literature regarding the role of the indoor environment on inner-city childhood asthma. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed in PubMed. Studies focusing on inner-city indoor allergen, childhood asthma, and environmental controls were included. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in children is increasing especially in inner-city area. Exposure to high levels of indoor allergens and pollutants has been related to asthma development. Studies have shown that mouse, cockroach, pets, dust mite, mold, tobacco smoke, endotoxin and nitrogen dioxide are the important exposures. Recent studies have shown that indoor environmental control is beneficial in reducing asthma morbidity and development. CONCLUSIONS: Inner-city children are exposed to various indoor allergens and pollutants that may lead to asthma development and exacerbation of existing asthma. Multifaceted environmental controls are beneficial in improving asthma symptom and maybe a viable prevention strategy. Further prospective studies of environmental intervention are needed to further identify effective strategies to improve and prevent asthma symptoms in inner-city children.
OBJECTIVE: Exposure to indoor pollutants and allergens has been speculated to cause asthma symptoms and exacerbations and influence the risk of developing asthma. The aim of this article is to review the medical literature regarding the role of the indoor environment on inner-city childhood asthma. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed in PubMed. Studies focusing on inner-city indoor allergen, childhood asthma, and environmental controls were included. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in children is increasing especially in inner-city area. Exposure to high levels of indoor allergens and pollutants has been related to asthma development. Studies have shown that mouse, cockroach, pets, dust mite, mold, tobacco smoke, endotoxin and nitrogen dioxide are the important exposures. Recent studies have shown that indoor environmental control is beneficial in reducing asthma morbidity and development. CONCLUSIONS: Inner-city children are exposed to various indoor allergens and pollutants that may lead to asthma development and exacerbation of existing asthma. Multifaceted environmental controls are beneficial in improving asthma symptom and maybe a viable prevention strategy. Further prospective studies of environmental intervention are needed to further identify effective strategies to improve and prevent asthma symptoms in inner-city children.
Authors: L M Paulin; G B Diette; M Scott; M C McCormack; E C Matsui; J Curtin-Brosnan; D L Williams; A Kidd-Taylor; M Shea; P N Breysse; N N Hansel Journal: Indoor Air Date: 2014-01-11 Impact factor: 5.770
Authors: Jill S Halterman; Belinda Borrelli; Paul Tremblay; Kelly M Conn; Maria Fagnano; Guillermo Montes; Telva Hernandez Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Jacqueline A Pongracic; Cynthia M Visness; Rebecca S Gruchalla; Richard Evans; Herman E Mitchell Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 6.347
Authors: Rajesh Kumar; Laura Marie Curtis; Sanjay Khiani; James Moy; Madeleine U Shalowitz; Lisa Sharp; Ramon A Durazo-Arvizu; John Jay Shannon; Kevin B Weiss Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2008-10 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Philippa Howden-Chapman; Nevil Pierse; Sarah Nicholls; Julie Gillespie-Bennett; Helen Viggers; Malcolm Cunningham; Robyn Phipps; Mikael Boulic; Pär Fjällström; Sarah Free; Ralph Chapman; Bob Lloyd; Kristin Wickens; David Shields; Michael Baker; Chris Cunningham; Alistair Woodward; Chris Bullen; Julian Crane Journal: BMJ Date: 2008-09-23
Authors: Nadia N Hansel; Patrick N Breysse; Meredith C McCormack; Elizabeth C Matsui; Jean Curtin-Brosnan; D'Ann L Williams; Jennifer L Moore; Jennifer L Cuhran; Gregory B Diette Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-07-23 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Erick Forno; Joanne Sordillo; John Brehm; Wei Chen; Takis Benos; Qi Yan; Lydiana Avila; Manuel Soto-Quirós; Michelle M Cloutier; Angel Colón-Semidey; Maria Alvarez; Edna Acosta-Pérez; Scott T Weiss; Augusto A Litonjua; Glorisa Canino; Juan C Celedón Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2017-02-04 Impact factor: 10.793