by Linda Cann Pearson

Created on: March 01, 2010

There is increasing scientific research that supports the notion that different sources of air pollution such as second-hand tobacco smoke, radon, carbon monoxide, and others can greatly increase the incidence, frequency and the severity of allergies in children, along with increased cases of asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory problems.

There is also evidence that more people suffer from allergies and asthma if they live in highly industrialized regions such as the US and Europe, especially in congested air-polluted cities and in areas where traffic is heavy and concentrated, near busy roads and highways.  In comparison, people living in less urbanized, less developed countries tend to have a lower incidence of allergies and respiratory problems.

If a child has the tendency to develop a allergy, being exposed to indoor and outdoor pollutants can increase the chances of the child developing a sensitivity to certain allergens, and consequently lead to an allergy attack.  Exposure to pollutants can both cause an allergy and increase the severity of an already existing allergy.

Children very often develop allergies in the first few months of their life.  Children are especially vulnerable to developing allergies early on as their lungs, digestive system and immune system may not be fully developed yet.  Children’s lungs often don’t fully develop until the late teenage years.  With enough exposure to pollutants, a child’s lung development can be seriously compromised.

Many indoor pollutants have been proven to both exacerbate and trigger allergic reactions in children.  The obvious front runner is exposure to second-hand smoke from tobacco, which sensitizes the child’s body to allergens such as pet dander, dust mites and pollens, thus increasing the incidence of asthma, bronchitis, chronic cough, and other respiratory problems in children.  Second-hand smoke is also one of the main sources of carbon monoxide in the home.

When a child is exposed to second-hand smoke, especially over a period of time, their lungs become irritated and they are more vulnerable to developing an allergy .  According to medicinenet.com, when someone is exposed to second-hand smoke, their body tends to increase its production of the IgE antibody, which can then attach to other allergens and cause an allergic reaction.  Women who smoke during pregnancy and also while breastfeeding, can significantly increase the risk of

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