05 Jun Link Between Environmental Greenness and Allergies Explored
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Elaine Fuertes
Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health Neuherberg, Germany and
School of Population and Public Health
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Answer: The main finding of our study was that despite the use of identical study designs and statistical methods, the level of greenness (measured using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) around a child’s home address was differentially associated with the development of allergic health outcomes among children living in two areas in Germany.
In our urban study centre, which includes the city of Munich, we found that higher greenness levels around a child’s home increased their risk of developing allergic rhinitis and experiencing eyes and nose symptoms. In contrast, greenness around the home appeared to be protective for allergic rhinitis, nose and eye symptoms and sensitization to inhalant allergens in the second more rural study centre investigated.
These observations emphasize that the effects of greenness around the home on respiratory health is complex and multifaceted, and are based on 5,803 German children followed from birth to 10 years as part of the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohorts.
MedicalResearch: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Answer: Given that the results from previous research investigating the potential effects of greenness levels around the home and allergy development were inconsistent, our research group was very open to any potential associations. The identification of differentially significant associations across the two study areas was nevertheless surprising. That is, that greenness appears to increase the risk of allergies in our urban study centre but decreases the risk of allergies in our more rural study centre was unexpected.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Answer: The investigation of how proximity to green environments may affect allergies is just beginning. At this point, we recommend no changes in behaviours or guidelines be taken based on our study results.
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Answer: Our study raises the important question as to why greenness levels around the home may play a different role on allergy development in different areas. To answer this question, we recommend that further studies varying in geography, urbanization, vegetation types, air quality and populations be conducted. Until these associations are unravelled, we recommend caution when interpreting existing and future single-area epidemiological investigations of greenness effects on health.
Another important question raised by our study (and others) is what exactly does greenness around the home address represent. Whether it represents positive factors, such as access to areas for physical activity and stress reduction, or rather acts as an important allergen source around the home, which may increase allergic symptoms, remains unknown. Future studies should aim to try and identify the mechanisms by which residential greenness proximity may be affecting allergy development during childhood.
Citation:
Greenness and allergies: evidence of differential associations in two areas in Germany
Last Updated on June 5, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD