Asthma, allergy and environmental factors

Asthma and allergy are very common disorders, which have major effects on an individual’s quality of life. Increases in asthma and allergy were reported during the final decades of the 20th century, particularly among children. This was not restricted to the Netherlands, as other western countries were similarly affected. With reference to this, the State Secretary for the Environment, has requested advice concerning the role of various environmental factors in the development and increase of these disorders. In response to the State Secretary’s questions, the President of the Health Council of the Netherlands appointed a committee, which based its advice mostly on existing reviews of the relevant literature.

Committee

• Prof. B. Brunekreef, professor of environmental epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University Medical Centre, chairman
• Prof. R.C. Aalberse, professor of immunology, Sanquin, Amsterdam
• Dr. C.J.M. van den Bogaard, medico-environmental inspector, VROM Inspectorate, adviser
• Prof. C.A.F.M. Bruijnzeel-Koomen, professor of dermato-allergology, Utrecht University Medical Centre
• Prof. R. Gerth van Wijk, professor of allergology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam
• Prof. R.A. Hirasing, professor of paediatric health care, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Prof. J.C. de Jongste, professor of paediatric pulmonology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam
• Dr. K.R. Krijgsheld, senior policy adviser, Ministry of VROM, adviser
• Prof. J.G.R. de Monchy, professor of allergology, Groningen University Hospital
• Dr. R. Pieters, immuno-toxicologist, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University Medical Centre
• Prof. D.S. Postma, professor of pulmonology, Groningen University Hospital
• Dr. A. Sachs, Groningen GP, Julius Centre, Utrecht University Medical Centre
• Prof. C.P. van Schayck, professor of preventive medicine, University of Maastricht
• Dr. H.A. Smit, epidemiologist, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven
• Dr. J.H. van Wijnen, doctor, epidemiologist, toxicologist, adviser (since June 2006)
• M. Drijver, Health Council, The Hague, secretary