Protective and adjuvant environments in the context of allergic diseases : a study on the role of small organic compounds Studies demonstrated a low prevalence of allergy and asthma among farmer children compared to non farmer children. We targeted small respirable compounds in the gas and particulate phase of distinct farming aerosols to gain first insights of a potential allergy protective effect of such small organic compounds. Specific differences between a potential protective (cow shed) and non protective (sheep shed) environment were identified and biologically tested. Moreover allergy adjuvant environments derived from distinct diesel exhaust and pollen exposure were comprehensively characterized.<eng>