Allergy and automobile pollution: experiments in animals

This review has been directed to describe the present state of experimental animal studies investigating the effects of automobile associated air poll ution on allergen sensitization and responsiveness. There is mounting evide nce from a large body of studies in animals indicating that oxidative, as w ell as particulate air pollutants, may enhance allergen responses. Ozone an d diesel exhaust al-e the pollutant components for which the literature on animal studies is most conclusive. The experiences from experimental animal studies suggest the plausibility of the influence of ambient air pollution together with other factors, on airway health and allergy in humans.