Association between residential land use and childhood allergic rhinitis: The Espoo Cohort Study

<bold>Background:</bold> Urbanization is leading to the natural environments converting into artificial and impervious surfaces. Recent studies have assessed the effects of specific land use types on respiratory health. However, little is known about the potential association between land-use diversity and allergic rhinitis. <bold>Aim:</bold> We aimed to assess the association between surrounding residential land use and childhood allergic rhinitis. <bold>Methods:</bold> A cross-sectional analysis was performed including 2568 children enrolled in the Espoo Cohort Study. Land-cover exposures within 100m from the child’s residence were assessed using the CORINE dataset. Associations between land use and allergic rhinitis were estimated by applying Poisson regression. <bold>Results:</bold> The mean (SD) value of the proportion of artificial surfaces was significantly higher among children with allergic rhinitis compared to children without allergic rhinitis [0.77 (0.30) vs. 0.73 (0.31), p=0.039]. The mean (SD) of land-use diversity was higher among children without allergic rhinitis compared to children with allergic rhinitis [0.14 (0.13) vs. 0.12 (0.12), p=0.063]. A non-significant trend was observed between higher exposure to artificial surfaces and a higher risk of allergic rhinitis [RR (95% CI)=1.05 (1.00; 1.10)]. Similarly, higher diversity of land use types and diversity of vegetated areas was associated with a lower risk of allergic rhinitis [0.91 (0.81; 1.01); and 0.92 (0.76; 1.10), respectively]. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Our results suggest that living in neighborhoods with high land-use diversity may have a protective effect on allergic rhinitis; however, exposure to artificial surfaces may increase the risk of childhood allergic rhinitis.