A study in the United States suggests that childhood respiratory allergies, which contribute to missed school days and other activity limitations, have increased in recent years, possibly due to environmental factors including air pollution.
The study examined the associations between the reporting of respiratory allergies or hay fever and annual average exposure to particulate matter ? 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5), PM ? 10 µm in diameter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide and summer exposure to ozone.
Results showed that increased respiratory allergies or hay fever was associated with increased summer ozone levels and increased PM2.5.
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