ABSTRACT
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 Mechanisms of Immune-Mediated Injury (Hypersensitivity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544 Allergic Contact Dermatitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545 Respiratory Allergy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550 Adjuvant Effects of Air Pollutants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552 Food Allergy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
Allergic diseases are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, affecting roughly 17% of the population, and costing the health care system about $18 billion annually [1]. These diseases create issues for toxicologists in both occupational and private settings. The factors affecting the induction and expression of allergies are complex and can involve a variety of immune responses. Genes, lifestyle, and environmental exposure all appear to have roles in the development of allergic disease. Everyday exposures including air pollutants, pesticides, drugs, household products, cosmetics, animal dander, occupational exposures, and even the food we eat, can all contribute to allergic disease.
