Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 164, Number 9, November 2001, 1660-1664

Increased Risk of Allergy Associated with the Use of Kerosene Fuel in the Home

ANDREA J. VENN, HAILE YEMANEBERHAN, ZEGEYE BEKELE, SARAH A. LEWIS, ELDRYD PARRY, and JOHN BRITTON

Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Jimma Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia; and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Allergic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in developing countries, consistent with an environmental etiology associated with affluence or urbanization. We have tested the hypothesis that the risk of allergy is increased by the use of non-biomass fuels (kerosene, gas or electricity) in the home, using data from a survey of the urban population of Jimma, Ethiopia. Questionnaire data on allergic symptoms, domestic fuel use and lifestyle factors were collected from 9844 adults and children, and allergen skin sensitization measured in a subsample of 2372. Use of any non-biomass fuel was reported by 959 individuals (10%), usually in combination with biomass fuel, and was significantly associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization (age, sex and socio-economic status adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.78 [1.06 to 2.97]) and wheeze (1.56 [1.07 to 2.26]), rhinitis (2.06 [1.46 to 2.91]) and eczema (2.82 [1.61 to 4.96]) relative to use of biomass fuel only. These effects were predominantly due to kerosene, which was significantly related to all outcomes, and gas, which was strongly related to allergic sensitization. Our findings suggest that domestic combustion of refined fossil fuels increases the risk of allergic sensitization and symptoms, and may have contributed to the increasing prevalence of allergic disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M Elliott, M. Kizza, M. A Quigley, J. Ndibazza, M. Nampijja, L. Muhangi, L. Morison, P. B Namujju, M. Muwanga, N. Kabatereine, et al. The impact of helminths on the response to immunization and on the incidence of infection and disease in childhood in Uganda: design of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, factorial trial of deworming interventions delivered in pregnancy and early childhood [ISRCTN32849447] Clinical Trials, February 1, 2007; 4(1): 42 - 57. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Aizlewood and C. Dimitroulopoulou The HOPE Project: The UK Experience Indoor and Built Environment, October 1, 2006; 15(5): 393 - 409. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Dagoye, Z. Bekele, K. Woldemichael, H. Nida, M. Yimam, A.J. Venn, A. Hall, J.R. Britton, S.A. Lewis, T. Mckeever, et al. Domestic risk factors for wheeze in urban and rural Ethiopian children QJM, August 1, 2004; 97(8): 489 - 498. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. B. Bracken, K. Belanger, W. O. Cookson, E. Triche, D. C. Christiani, and B. P. Leaderer Genetic and Perinatal Risk Factors for Asthma Onset and Severity: A Review and Theoretical Analysis Epidemiol. Rev., December 1, 2002; 24(2): 176 - 189. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. W. Triche, K. Belanger, W. Beckett, M. B. Bracken, T. R. Holford, J. Gent, T. Jankun, J.-e. McSharry, and B. P. Leaderer Infant Respiratory Symptoms Associated with Indoor Heating Sources Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 15, 2002; 166(8): 1105 - 1111. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. TOBIN Asthma, Airway Biology, and Nasal Disorders in AJRCCM 2001 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2002; 165(5): 598 - 618. [Full Text] [PDF]