Increased risk of allergy associated with the use of kerosene fuel in the home

Allergic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in developing countri es, consistent with an environmental etiology associated with affluence or urbanization. We have tested the hypothesis that the risk of allergy is inc reased by the use of non-biomass fuels (kerosene, gas or electricity) in th e home, using data from a survey of the urban population of Iimma, Ethiopia . Questionnaire data on allergic symptoms, domestic fuel use and lifestyle factors were collected from 9844 adults and children, and allergen skin sen sitization measured in a subsample of 2372. Use of any non-biomass fuel was reported by 959 individuals (10%), usually in combination with biomass fue l, and was significantly associated with an increased risk of allergic sens itization (age, sex and socioeconomic status adjusted odds ratio (95% confi dence interval) = 1.78 [1.06 to 2.97]) and wheeze (1.56 [1.07 to 2.26]), rh initis (2.06 [1.46 to 2.91]) and eczema (2.82 [1.61 to 4.96]) relative to u se of biomass fuel only. These effects were predominantly due to kerosene, which was significantly related. to all outcomes, and gas, which was strong ly related to allergic sensitization. Our findings suggest that domestic co mbustion of refined fossil fuels increases the risk of allergic sensitizati on and symptoms, and may have contributed to the increasing prevalence of a llergic disease.