Summary
Allergic diseases are partly genetically determined, but environmental factors have a strong influence on the expression of allergic symptoms in genetically predisposed subjects. In particular, outdoor air pollution has received widespread attention as a potential manifestation factor. The unification of Germany provided a unique opportunity to study the impact of radically different environmental and social conditions on the development of allergies in two genetically homogenous populations. A high car density and N02 exposure were typical for many West German cities. Severe pollution due to heavy industrialization and private coal burning for healing purposes were the main sources of air pollution in East German cities.
We assessed the prevalence of asthma and allergic disorders in 9–11 year old children in in East Germany (Leipzig and Halle) and in West Germany (Munich). All fourth grade pupils in Munich (n=7,445) were compared with those in Leipzig and Halle 1991 (n=3,105). Hay fever, skin test reactivity to common aeroallergens and asthma were considerably more prevalent in West Germany as compared to East Germany. When atopy was taken into account, there was no longer a significant difference in the prevalence of asthma between the two parts of the country.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Berbig B, von Mutius E, Nicolai T, Stiepel E, Adam D (1991) Comparing the Multitest to a conventional skin prick test (in German). Allergologie 14:51–57.
Burr ML, Butland BK, King S, Vaughan-Williams E (1989) Changes in asthma prevalence: two surveys 15 years apart. Arch Dis Child 64:1452–1456.
Dockery DW, Speizer FE, Stram DO, et al. (1989). Effects of inhalable particles on respiratory health of children. Am Rev Respir Dis 139:587–594.
Dodge R, Solomon P, Moyers J, Hayes C (1985) A longitudinal study of children exposed to sulfur oxides. Am J Epidemiol 121: 720–736.
Dold S, Wjst M, von Mutius E, Reitmeir P, Stiepel E (1992) Genetic risk for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Arch Dis Child 67:1018–1022.
Dold S, Reitmeir P, Wjst M, von Mutius E (1992) Effects of passive smoke exposure on the respiratory tract in children (in German). Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 140:763–768.
Edfors-Lubs ML (1971) Allergy in 7,000 twin pairs. Acta Allergol 26:249–285.
Kahle S, Behrendt H, Ring J, Vieluf D, Hinrichs J, Krämer U, Dolgner R, Schlipköter HW (1992) Epidemiologische Untersuchungen zur Prävalenz allergischer Erkrankungen bei 6jährigen Kindern in Halle (Sachsen-Anhalt). Allergologie 15: 58.
Krämer U, Altus C, Behrendt H, Dolgner R, Gutsmuths FJ, Hille J, Hinrichs J, Mangold M, Paetz B, Ranft U, Röpke H, Teichmann S, Willer HJ, Schlipköter HW (1992) Epidemiologische Untersuchungen zur Auswirkung von Luftverschmutzung auf die Gesundheit von Schulanfängern. Forum Städte Hygiene 43: 82–87.
Krämer U, Behrendt H, Dolgner R, Kainka-Stänicke E, Oberbarnscheidt J, Sidaoui H, Schlipköter HW (1991) Auswirkungen der Umweltbelastung auf allergologische Parameter bei 6jährigen Kindern. In: Ring J (ed) Epidemiologie allergischer Erkrankungen. MMV-Verlag München, pp 165–178.
Leupold W, Walther K-U, Wahn U (1994) Vorkommen von HDM-Antigen (Der pI/Der fi) in Wohnungen in Relation zu Umgebungs- und Krankheits-Faktoren. Abstract at the “16. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Pneumologie”, München.
von Mutius E, Fritzsch C, Weiland SK, Roell G, Magnussen H (1992) Prevalence of asthma and allergic disorders among children in united Germany: a descriptive comparison. Br Med J 305:1395–1399.
von Mutius E, Martinez FD, Fritzsch C, Nicolai T, Roell G, Thiemann HH (1994) Prevalence of asthma and atopy in two areas of West and East Germany. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 149:358–364.
von Mutius E, Martinez FD, Fritzsch C, Nicolai T, Reitmeir P, Thiemann HH (1994) Skin test reactivity and number of siblings. Br med J 308:692–695.
Nicolai T, von Mutius E, Reitmeir P, Wjst M (1993) Reactivity to cold air hyperventilation in normal and asthmatic children in a survey of 5697 school children in Southern Bavaria. Am Rev Resp Dis 147:565–572.
Ninan T, Russell G (1992) Respiratory symptoms and atopy in Aberdeen schoolchildren: evidence from two surveys 25 years apart. Br Med J 304:873–875.
Robertson CF, Heycock E, Bishop J, Nolan T, Olinsky A, Phelan PD (1991) Prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren: changes over 26 years. Br Med J 302:1116–1118.
Taylor B, Wadsworth J, Wadsworth M, Peckham C (1984) Changes in the reported prevalence of childhood eczema since the 1939–45 war. Lancet i:i255–1257.
Ware JH, Ferris BG Jr., Dockery DW, Spengler JD, Stram DO, Speizer FE (1986) Effects of ambient sulfur oxides and suspended particles on respiratory health of pre-adolescent children. Am Rev Respir Dis 133:834–842.
Wjst M, Reitmeir P, Dold S, Wulff A, Nicolai T, von Loeffelholz-Colberg E, von Mutius E (1993) Road traffic and adverse effects on respiratory health in children. Br Med J 307:596–600.
Wüthrich B, Schneyder UW, Henaue SA, Heller A (1986) Incidence of pollinosis in Switzerland. Results of a representative demographic survey with consideration of other allergic disorders (in German). Schweiz Med Wochenschr 116:909.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Nicolai, T., von Mutius, E. (1997). Pollution and the Development of Allergy: The East and West Germany Story. In: Seiler, J.P., Vilanova, E. (eds) Applied Toxicology: Approaches Through Basic Science. Archives of Toxicology, vol 19. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60682-3_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60682-3_18
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64505-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-60682-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive