Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Farm living halves asthma and allergy rate

Updated at 6:40 am on 28 January 2011

New research has found that farm-living reduces the chance of developing asthma or allergies.

Professor Jeroen Douwes from Massey University told an international symposium in Auckland on Thursday that growing up on a farm reduces the risk of being allergic or asthmatic by 50% - 60%.

He says it is the result of direct contact with livestock.

"The animals themselves may not necessarily protect you, it may be the microbial contact," he said.

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