Phosphorus flame retardants in indoor dust and their relation to asthma and allergies of inhabitants

Organophosphate esters are used as additives in flame retardants and plasticizers, and they are ubiquitous in the indoor environment. Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) are present in residential dust, but few epidemiological studies have assessed their impact on human health. We measured the levels of 11 PFRs in indoor floor dust and multi‐surface dust in 182 single‐family dwellings in Japan. We evaluated their correlations with asthma and allergies of the inhabitants. Tris(2‐butoxyethyl) phosphate was detected in all samples (median value: 580 μg/g in floor dust, 111 μg/g in multi‐surface dust). Tris(2‐chloro‐iso‐propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was detected at 8.69 μg/g in floor dust and 25.8 μg/g in multi‐surface dust. After adjustment for potential confounders, significant associations were found between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and the presence of TCIPP and tris(1,3‐dichloro‐2‐propyl) phosphate in floor dust [per log₁₀‐unit, odds ratio (OR): 2.43 and 1.84, respectively]. Tributyl phosphate was significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma (OR: 2.85 in floor dust, 5.34 in multi‐surface dust) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 2.55 in multi‐surface dust). PFR levels in Japan were high compared with values reported previously for Europe, Asia‐Pacific, and the USA. Higher levels of PFRs in house dust were related to the inhabitants' health status.     

鼻吸入布地奈德对支气管哮喘的影响

目的研究鼻局部吸入布地奈德治疗过敏性鼻炎对哮喘发作的影响。探讨患者用布地奈德治疗过敏性鼻炎对哮喘症状及肺功能变化的影响。方法采用临床试验方法研究门诊63例支气管哮喘合并过敏性鼻炎患者。随机分为布地奈德组(30例)和对照组(33例)。所有患者均规律经口吸入哮喘常规药物,布地奈德组规律加用鼻吸布地奈德。随访12周后再次进行研究,比较患者哮喘症状以及肺功能变化。结果布地奈德组在经过鼻吸布地奈德12周后与对照组ACT记分和肺功能比较有统计学意义(P<0.01)。2组在治疗前的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论过敏性鼻炎是哮喘发病的危险因素,鼻局部吸入布地奈德治疗伴有轻、中度哮喘的过敏性鼻炎患者,当鼻炎症状改善的同时,哮喘症状亦获得缓解,气道反应性降低。     

Allergy and respiratory health effects of dampness and dampness‐related agents in schools and homes: a cross‐sectional study in Danish pupils

Little is known about the health effects of school‐related indoor dampness and microbial exposures. In this study, we investigated dampness and dampness‐related agents in both homes and schools and their association with allergy and respiratory health effects in 330 Danish pupils. Classroom dampness was identified based on technical inspection and bedroom dampness on parents' self‐report. Classroom and bedroom dust was analyzed for seven microbial components. Skin prick testing determined atopic sensitization. Lung function was expressed as z‐scores for forced expiratory volume in one‐second (zFEV₁), forced vital capacity (zFVC) and the ratio zFEV₁/zFVC using GLI‐2012 prediction equations. The parents reported children's allergies, airway symptoms, and doctor‐diagnosed asthma. High classroom dampness, but not bedroom dampness, was negatively associated with zFEV₁ (β‐coef. ?0.71; 95% CI ?1.17 to ?0.23) and zFVC (β‐coef. ?0.52; 95% CI ?0.98 to ?0.06) and positively with wheezing (OR 8.09; 95% CI 1.49 to 43.97). No consistent findings were found between any individual microbial components or combination of microbial components and health outcomes. Among other indoor risk factors, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) decreased zFEV₁ (β‐coef. ?0.22; 95% CI ?0.42 to ?0.02) and zFEV₁/zFVCratio (β‐coef. ?0.26; 95% CI ?0.44 to ?0.07) and increased upper airway symptoms (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.03–2.66). In conclusion, dampness in classrooms may have adverse respiratory health effects in pupils, but microbial agents responsible for this effect remain unknown.     

Effect of high‐pressure processing on immunoreactivity,microbial and physicochemical properties of hazelnut milk

This study investigated the effects of high‐pressure processing (HPP) and thermal processing (TP) on the overall quality attributes of hazelnut milk. HPP achieved the same microbial safety as TP, and the pH, °Brix and sugar contents were maintained at the levels of fresh hazelnut milk. Although HPP caused colour changes, the ?E was smaller than that of the TP sample. Increasing pressure significantly decreased the immunoreactivity of the hazelnut milk by 70%, while simultaneously reducing the levels of essential and non‐essential amino acids and chemical score (CS) and the essential amino acid index (EAAI) values. However, neither HPP nor TP significantly affected the fatty acid composition of hazelnut milk. HPP retained higher total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the hazelnut milk, with a better antioxidant capacity than TP samples. Thus, the HPP maintained microbial safety during cold storage, and physicochemical properties of the treated hazelnut milk were not significantly different from those of the fresh hazelnut milk.     

Allergic and Non-allergic Students' Perception of the Same High School Environment

Abstract The aim of the study was to describe how allergies and non-allergies perceive the same environment. All high school students in a town in southern Sweden were invited to answer a questionnaire concerning allergy, subjective symptoms, annoyance reactions and perception of the environment (response rate: 81%). The results show that only 45% of the students were non-allergic (n = 1,715). Since the symptom frequency among non-allergic students was normal, the schools were classified as healthy. However, compared to the non-allergic students, a higher percentage among the allergies suffered from symptoms every week, a lower percentage was satisfied with the air quality and the cleaning, and a higher percentage was bothered every week by temperature, stuffy/stale air, bad odor, passive smoke, bad lighting, noise, dust and dirt (ANOVA, P < 0.05). The findings could indicate that allergies note discomfort earlier than non-allergies by being more critical in general and especially critical to factors that could effect their health. The findings could also indicate that awareness of ones own sensitivity could lead to attention to different risk factors, which in turn could lead to stress/anxiety, which could make symptoms worse. The conclusion is that it is important to take allergy into consideration when the environment is assessed.     

Health benefits of particle filtration

The evidence of health benefits of particle filtration in homes and commercial buildings is reviewed. Prior reviews of papers published before 2000 are summarized. The results of 16 more recent intervention studies are compiled and analyzed. Also, reviewed are four studies that modeled health benefits of using filtration to reduce indoor exposures to particles from outdoors. Prior reviews generally concluded that particle filtration is, at best, a source of small improvements in allergy and asthma health effects; however, many early studies had weak designs. A majority of recent intervention studies employed strong designs and more of these studies report statistically significant improvements in health symptoms or objective health outcomes, particularly for subjects with allergies or asthma. The percentage improvement in health outcomes is typically modest, for example, 7% to 25%. Delivery of filtered air to the breathing zone of sleeping allergic or asthmatic persons may be more consistently effective in improving health than room air filtration. Notable are two studies that report statistically significant improvements, with filtration, in markers that predict future adverse coronary events. From modeling, the largest potential benefits of indoor particle filtration may be reductions in morbidity and mortality from reducing indoor exposures to particles from outdoor air.     

Sensitivity-related illness: the escalating pandemic of allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity

The prevalence of allergic-related diseases, food intolerance, and chemical sensitivities in both the pediatric and adult population has increased dramatically over the last two decades, with escalating rates of associated morbidity. Conditions of acquired allergy, food intolerance and chemical hypersensitivity are frequently the direct sequelae of a toxicant induced loss of tolerance (TILT) in response to a significant initiating toxic exposure. Following the primary toxicant insult, the individuals become sensitive to low levels of diverse and unrelated triggers in their environment such as commonly encountered chemical, inhalant or food antigens. Among sensitized individuals, exposure to assorted inciting stimuli may precipitate diverse clinical and/or immune sequelae as may be evidenced by clinical symptoms as well as varied lymphocyte, antibody, or cytokine responses in some cases. Recently recognized as a mechanism of disease development, TILT and resultant sensitivity-related illness (SRI) may involve various organ systems and evoke wide-ranging physical or neuropsychological manifestations. With escalating rates of toxicant exposure and bioaccumulation in the population-at-large, an increasing proportion of contemporary illness is the direct result of TILT and ensuing SRI. Avoidance of triggers will preclude symptoms, and desensitization immunotherapy or immune suppression may ameliorate symptomatology in some cases. Resolution of SRI generally occurs on a gradual basis following the elimination of bioaccumulated toxicity and avoidance of further initiating adverse environmental exposures. As has usually been the case throughout medical history whenever new evidence regarding disease mechanisms emerges, resistance to the translation of knowledge abounds.     

Effects of hydroperoxide in breads on IgE antibody responses

The effect of hydroperoxide in breads on antigen-antibody reaction against IgE was examined. We compared the antigen-antibody reaction against IgE between dough including hydroperoxide and that not including hydroperoxide. Crude proteins extracted from the dough including hydroperoxide showed weak antigen-antibody reaction on allergic tests such as ring precipitin test with human-specific IgE, and the IgE binding activity on ELISA. In contrast, the dough without hydroperoxide showed antigen-antibody reaction. The crude proteins extracted from the dough with hydroperoxide or without hydroperoxide were applied by affinity chromatography of trypsin-immobilized chitin. Then proteins having affinity were recovered. The recovered proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. Each protein was examined for the IgE binding activity on ELISA. The IgE binding activity of baked bread was studied as well. Crude proteins of baked bread made from dough including hydroperoxide showed weaker IgE binding activity on ELISA than proteins of baked bread made from dough without hydroperoxide. Those results suggested that addition of hydroperoxide into dough affects on antigen activation.     

Are cats and dogs the major source of endotoxin in homes?

Previous studies have suggested that exposure to cats and dogs during early childhood reduces the risk of allergic disease, possibly by increasing home endotoxin exposure. This study asked the question of whether cats and dogs are the dominant influence on dust endotoxin concentrations in homes after considering other variables reportedly associated with endotoxin. The presence of cats or dogs in homes, household and home characteristics, and dust endotoxin concentrations from 5 locations were assessed in 966 urban and suburban homes. Whether considered together as pets or as cats and dogs separately, the presence of cats and dogs significantly contributed to living room and bedroom floor endotoxin concentrations, but not to bed endotoxin concentrations. However, the two variables consistently related to endotoxin in all home sites were the home occupant density (occupants/room) and cleanliness of the home. Our data suggest that reducing occupant density and improving home cleanliness would reduce home endotoxin concentrations more than removing pet cats or dogs from the home.