Association of bacterial load in drinking water and allergic diseases in childhood

Background Treatment of drinking water may decrease microbial exposure. Objective To investigate whether bacterial load in drinking water is associated with altered risk of allergic diseases. Methods We recruited 1,110 schoolchildren aged 6‐16 years between 2011 and 2013 in Požega‐Slavonia County in Croatia, where we capitalized on a natural experiment whereby individuals receive drinking water through public mains supply or individual wells. We...