Airborne Pollution, Climate Change & Allergic Conditions of Childhood

Thursday, November 3, 2022

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM PST

Santa Barbara, CA

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Background

Exposure to small particulate air pollution, generated by cars, industry, and wildfires associated with climate change, impacts the health of children by promoting systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Early life represents an important immune developmental period in which environmental exposures may have a lifelong impact on the individual. Residents of Santa Barbara County are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposure.

Small particulate air pollution is one such exposure that compromises the skin, and when exposure occurs in early childhood, may trigger or exacerbate atopic dermatitis, the most common skin condition of childhood now affecting up to 25% of children in the U.S.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD or “eczema”) in turn leads to other allergic conditions such as food allergy and asthma; it is the first condition to manifest in the “atopic” march.

This two-hour symposium will explore the relationship between air pollution exposure and allergic conditions of childhood with a particular focus on atopic dermatitis. Research presentations will focus on the California context with attention to the specific climate change impacts we are observing in the West, including heat, drought, and unprecedented wildfires. 

Agenda:

Welcome and Introduction

Navdeep Gosal, Eczema Tracker Founder and Board Member and Dr. Peck Ong, Pediatric Immunologist, University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Research Presentations

a)    “Repercussions of a warming planet: Rising prevalence of AD & the impact on children and families,” Korey Capozza, MPH, Executive Director, Global Parents for Eczema Research

b)    “Association of Wildfire Air Pollution and Health Care Use for Atopic Dermatitis and Itch,” Dr. Maria Wei, Professor of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco

c)    “Isocyanates as a culprit in the disruption of the skin microbiome and itch associated with atopic dermatitis,” Dr. Ian Myles, Head of the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health

d)    “Mechanisms of air pollution induced skin barrier dysfunction,” Dr. Vivian Shi, Professor of Dermatology, University of Arkansas

Panel & Group Discussion

Moderators: Dr. Markus Boos, Pediatric Dermatologist, University of Washington / Seattle Children’s & Korey Capozza, Executive Director, Global Parents for Eczema Research.