Impact of Pesticide Exposure on Asthma and Allergic Airway Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pesticides, intertwined with agriculture, public health, and personal comfort, are tremendously diverse in structure, mechanisms of action, and environmental persistence. We searched for recent data and research perspectives on the association between pesticide exposure and the genesis and severity of non-occupational asthma and allergic airway diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Early life exposure to pesticides is associated with increased prevalence of asthma, wheezing and allergic rhinitis in preschool children. Biomarker studies provide a quantitative link between pesticide exposure and asthma in adults and children. The heterogeneity of international regulations and the global effects of pesticides on biodiversity introduce additional complexity. The lack of quality data on pesticide exposure effects underscores the need for innovative research strategies. A general strategy of database mining for healthcare and environmental data is proposed, focusing on asthma and allergic airway diseases. At the international level, a unified approach is needed for efficient remediation.