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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Brief communication

Common environmental chemicals do not explain atopy contrast in the Finnish and Russian Karelia

Authors: Jyri-Pekka Koskinen, Hannu Kiviranta, Erkki Vartiainen, Pekka Jousilahti, Tiina Vlasoff, Leena von Hertzen, Mika Mäkelä, Tiina Laatikainen, Tari Haahtela

Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Atopic allergy is much more common in Finnish compared with Russian Karelia, although these areas are geographically and genetically close. To explore the role of environmental chemicals on the atopy difference a random sample of 200 individuals, 25 atopic and 25 non-atopic school-aged children and their mothers, were studied. Atopy was defined as having at least one positive skin prick test response to 14 common inhalant and food allergens tested. Concentrations of 11 common environmental pollutants were measured in blood samples.

Results

Overall, the chemical levels were much higher in Russia than in Finland, except for 2,2′,4,4′-tetra-bromodiphenyl ether (BDE47). In Finland but not in Russia, the atopic children had higher concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls and 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (DDE) than the non-atopic children. In Russia but not in Finland, the atopic mothers had higher DDE concentrations than the non-atopic mothers.

Conclusions

Higher concentrations of common environmental chemicals were measured in Russian compared with Finnish Karelian children and mothers. The chemicals did not explain the higher prevalence of atopy on the Finnish side.

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Title: Common environmental chemicals do not explain atopy contrast in the Finnish and Russian Karelia
Authors: Jyri-Pekka Koskinen
Hannu Kiviranta
Erkki Vartiainen
Pekka Jousilahti
Tiina Vlasoff
Leena von Hertzen
Mika Mäkelä
Tiina Laatikainen
Tari Haahtela
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2045-7022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-016-0103-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Common environmental chemicals do not explain atopy contrast in the Finnish and Russian Karelia

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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