English 
Francais 
عربي 
Pollution increases genetic sensitivity to asthma
American researchers have established a direct link between asthma in children and atmospheric pollution due to PAHs – hydrocarbons released in exhaust fumes.
Indeed, vehicle pollution appears to have a particularly insidious effect, as the damage is done before birth, while the baby is still in the womb.
Environmental pollution can interfere with the successful development of the foetus and can even lead to a genetic modification which can trigger asthma after birth.
The authors of this study examined blood from the umbilical cord of 56 infants born in New York – a city with a notoriously high vehicle density. Maternal exposure levels to PAHs had already been measured during pregnancy. According to the researchers, the results show a cause-and-effect relationship between high levels of exposure to vehicle pollutants and a genetic modification associated with an increased risk of asthma in children.
Print this article
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Send to a friend
Convert to pdf
Copyright Authorization
19 article(s)
If your child is asthmatic … try exercise and sport!
Paracetamol suspected to increase the risk of infantile asthma
Breast milk can help protect against asthma
Asthma – French researchers on the track of a treatment target
Never mind Christmas beer... what about Christmas asthma?
In New York, the dust may have settled but asthma is on the rise
Allergic? Try desensitisation – it really works!
2 feature(s)
