Impact of urban residential environment and biological agents on childhood allergic diseases: Insights from the Greater Taipei area

Pediatric allergic diseases pose a significant global public health concern, with environmental factors playing a crucial role in their development. Investigating these determinants, particularly during early childhood, is crucial. This study, part of the Longitudinal Examination Across Prenatal and Postnatal Health in Taiwan (LEAPP-HIT) project, focused on children under 5 years old in the Greater Taipei Area. We collected data on household environments, and children's medical histories related to allergic diseases using standardized questionnaires. Additionally, we examined outdoor factors such as air pollution, land use, and points of interest. Indoor environmental sampling assessed concentrations of air pollutants, microbes, and allergens. Using logistic regression, we analyzed the relationships between indoor and outdoor environmental factors and allergic diseases in 136 children. Our findings revealed that the acquisition of new furniture and less frequent household cleaning were positively associated with allergic rhinitis and eczema, respectively. Using carpets, moldy odors in bedrooms, and Der f 1 concentrations in bed dust were significantly correlated with an increased risk of allergic conjunctivitis. Furthermore, exposure to ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤10μm and the presence of certain points of interest (e.g., night markets and restaurants) significantly impacted the occurrence of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and eczema. These results underscore the complexity of allergic disease development in children and highlight the importance of considering both clean home environments and ambient environmental characteristics when providing public health guidance to families affected by allergic diseases.