A third of all South Africans suffer from allergic diseases during their life, and 40% of allergy sufferers in South Africa are children. These numbers are staggering, especially when you consider children make up only 34% of the total population in South Africa.
Trevor Brewer, director of air treatment specialist Solenco, says the increase in allergies is not simply a result of society becoming more aware and improving diagnoses. “The global prevalence of allergic diseases is growing, significantly driven by environmental factors, especially in children.”
He outlines the major air quality-related allergic diseases impacting children:
Asthma and allergic rhinitus
As many as one in five South African children suffers from asthma, and 30% to 40% of children need medication for allergic rhinitis. Both these conditions are more prevalent in urban areas, and the most common triggers include dust, pollen and mould – which can be linked back to climate change.
The increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has the effect of bringing on the pollen season much earlier, and increasing the severity of pollen-related allergies. And, as global warming increases, the air holds more moisture, explaining the increase in allergens associated with mould spores that grow in wet and humid conditions.
Food allergies
Globally, 10% of children suffer from food allergies – and sensitivity to food is increasing, especially among children. The prevalence of food allergies increased from 3.5% to 11.1% within a single generation, between 1999 and 2019, correlating with industrialisation and urbanisation.
Genetic factors are responsible for food allergies to a degree, but links between food allergy and environmental factors are also surfacing. The research states that pollutants act to modify immune responses, resulting in immunotoxicity and triggering either the onset or exacerbation of food allergies.
Eczema
A recent study shows that atopic eczema – a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by dry, itchy and inflamed skin – in preschool children is associated with air pollution. Interestingly, higher incidence is reported in children who spend more time indoors and are exposed to pollutants like gas, open fires for heating and cooking, and tobacco smoke.
Traffic-related air pollution also contributes to the condition, with the same study reporting that transportation was responsible for an estimated 90% of noxious emissions in South Africa.
However, Brewer notes that transport-related emissions are not only found outdoors. “Invisible fine particulate matter and inhalable pollutants caused by outdoor sources can quite easily make their way indoors. But the good news is that, while we can only do so much to limit our emission footprint, there is a lot we can do to improve the air quality in our homes.”
He says South African parents need to take steps to limit the impact of poor air quality. “There has been a steady uptick in the demand for household air treatment solutions ever since the COVID pandemic spurred greater awareness of the air we breathe. Now, there is an emphasis on improving indoor air quality to prevent the onset and limit the worsening of allergic diseases that are impacting children’s quality of life.”
Brewer’s best advice to those investing in an air purifier or dehumidifier for their home, is to look for a product with an H13 HEPA filter, which forces air through an ultra-fine mesh to trap airborne pollutants and allergens that are too small to see.
Image credit: Freepik