Raf Aerts1, Michiel Stas2, Naomi Vanlessen3, Marijke Hendrickx4, Nicolas Bruffaerts4, Lucie Hoebeke4, Nicolas Dendoncker5, Sebastien Dujardin6, Nelly D Saenen7, An Van Nieuwenhuyse8, Jean-Marie Aerts9, Jos Van Orshoven10, Tim S Nawrot11, Ben Somers10. 1. Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium; Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium. Electronic address: raf.aerts@sciensano.be. 2. Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium; Division Animal and Human Health Engineering, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium. 3. Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven vzw, Brussels, Belgium. 4. Mycology and Aerobiology, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium. 5. Department of Geography, Institute of Life Earth and Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium. 6. Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Geography, Institute of Life Earth and Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium. 7. Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium. 8. Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. 9. Division Animal and Human Health Engineering, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium. 10. Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium. 11. Centre for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Residential green space may improve human health, for example by promoting physical activity and by reducing stress. Conversely, residential green space may increase stress by emitting aeroallergens and exacerbating allergic disease. Here we examine impacts of exposure to residential green space on distress in the susceptible subpopulation of adults sensitized to tree pollen allergens. METHODS: In a panel study of 88 tree pollen allergy patients we analyzed self-reported mental health (GHQ-12), perceived presence of allergenic trees (hazel, alder, birch) near the residence and residential green space area within 1 km distance [high (≥3 m) and low (<3 m) green]. Results were adjusted for patients' background data (gender, age, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, commuting distance, education level, allergy medication use and chronic respiratory problems) and compared with distress in the general population (N = 2467). RESULTS: Short-term distress [mean GHQ-12 score 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.5-2.7)] was higher in the study population than in the general population [1.5 (1.4-1.7)]. Residential green space had protective effects against short-term distress [high green, per combined surface area of 10 ha: adjusted odds ratio OR = 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90-0.99); low green, per 10 ha: OR = 0.85 (0.78-0.93)]. However, distress was higher in patients who reported perceived presence of allergenic trees near their residence [present vs. absent: OR = 2.04 (1.36-3.07)]. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived presence of allergenic tree species in the neighbourhood of the residence of tree pollen allergy patients modulates the protective effect of residential green space against distress during the airborne tree pollen season.
BACKGROUND: Residential green space may improve human health, for example by promoting physical activity and by reducing stress. Conversely, residential green space may increase stress by emitting aeroallergens and exacerbating allergic disease. Here we examine impacts of exposure to residential green space on distress in the susceptible subpopulation of adults sensitized to tree pollen allergens. METHODS: In a panel study of 88 tree pollen allergypatients we analyzed self-reported mental health (GHQ-12), perceived presence of allergenic trees (hazel, alder, birch) near the residence and residential green space area within 1 km distance [high (≥3 m) and low (<3 m) green]. Results were adjusted for patients' background data (gender, age, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, commuting distance, education level, allergy medication use and chronic respiratory problems) and compared with distress in the general population (N = 2467). RESULTS: Short-term distress [mean GHQ-12 score 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.5-2.7)] was higher in the study population than in the general population [1.5 (1.4-1.7)]. Residential green space had protective effects against short-term distress [high green, per combined surface area of 10 ha: adjusted odds ratio OR = 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90-0.99); low green, per 10 ha: OR = 0.85 (0.78-0.93)]. However, distress was higher in patients who reported perceived presence of allergenic trees near their residence [present vs. absent: OR = 2.04 (1.36-3.07)]. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived presence of allergenic tree species in the neighbourhood of the residence of tree pollen allergypatients modulates the protective effect of residential green space against distress during the airborne tree pollen season.