Residential Greenness Linked to Reduced Risk of Allergic Rhinitis in Adults

A prospective study utilizing UK Biobank data has revealed that increased residential greenness is associated with a reduced incidence of allergic rhinitis in adults. 

The analysis, which tracked 281,699 participants over a median follow-up of 14 years, identified 3,260 new cases of allergic rhinitis.

The results showed that a 10% increase in greenness within a 300-meter buffer around residences was linked to a 2.5% decrease in the risk of developing allergic rhinitis. The relationship exhibited a non-linear, L-shaped dose-response pattern, with a threshold at 54.9% greenness above which no further reduction in risk was observed.

Additionally, the study found that ambient air pollutants, specifically PM10, partially mediated this association, accounting for 26.9% of the relationship between residential greenness and allergic rhinitis risk. This suggests that greenness may help reduce exposure to air pollution, thereby mitigating the risk of allergic rhinitis.

These findings highlight the potential benefits of residential greenness in urban planning and public health initiatives, suggesting that greenness could be an effective strategy for reducing allergic rhinitis, particularly in areas impacted by air pollution.