Air pollution and the development of asthma from birth until young adulthood

Abstract

Background Air pollution is associated with asthma development in children and adults, but the impact on asthma development during the transition from adolescence to adulthood is unclear. Adult studies lack historical exposures and consequently cannot assess the relevance of exposure during different periods of life. We assessed the relevance of early life and more recent air pollution exposure for asthma development from birth until early adulthood. Methods We used data of 3,687 participants of the prospective Dutch PIAMA birth cohort and linked asthma incidence until age 20 to estimated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), PM_2.5 absorbance (“soot”) and particulate matter with a diameter 2.5), 10), and 2.5–10 μm (PM_coarse) at the residential address. We assessed overall and age-specific associations with air pollution exposure with discrete time hazard models, adjusting for potential confounders. Results Overall, we found higher incidence of asthma until age 20 with higher exposure to all pollutants at the birth address [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) ranging from 1.09 (1.01–1.18) for PM₁₀ to 1.20 (1.10–1.32) for NO₂) per interquartile range increase] that were rather persistent with age. Similar associations were observed with more recent exposure defined as exposure at the current home address. In two-pollutant models with PM, associations with NO₂ persisted. Conclusions Exposure to air pollution, especially from motorised traffic, early in life may have long-term consequences for asthma development as it is associated with an increased odds of developing asthma through childhood and adolescence into early adulthood.