Allergic impact of air pollution caused by Kuwait oil fires among the population of eastern province of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The effect of air pollution produced by Kuwait oil fires on the frequency of skin test [ST] reactivity to 6 common air-borne allergens and on the frequency of bronchial asthma, rhinitis and urticaria were investigated in the population of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Frequencies of ST reactivity to all allergens showed a similar pattern of changes during year 1991, with a peak in the 3rd quarter of the year. In year 1990, indoor allergens [house dust mite, house dust and cat fur] showed gradual decrease in their frequencies with time, whereas outdoor allergens [pollens] showed different patterns of changes. The differences between frequency changes during year 1991 and year 1990 were statistically significant. Similarly, changes in frequencies of cases with asthma and rhinitis, but not urticaria, in year 1991 were also significantly differed from those in year 1990. These data indicated that air pollution due to Kuwait oil fires has increased the susceptibility to allergy status among the population in the area