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Background: Recurring winter smog episodes, recently observed in Poland, have inspired the researches to assess the epidemiological situation concerning the registered exacerbations of respiratory diseases related to worsening of the ambient air quality., Material and Methods: The model comprising the ecological study results and secondary epidemiological data on registered outpatient visits and hospitalizations in the Silesian voivodeship was used. We assessed the effect of smog observed in January 2017 on the number of acute respiratory disorders registered in that month. Aerosanitary situation was obtained from the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice database., Results: It was documented that the increase in PM 2.5 concentration (with simultaneously observed unfavorable meteorological parameters) was related to a higher number of acute respiratory disorders registered daily. Moreover, the increase in the number of outpatient visits due to asthma exacerbation or bronchitis was observed on the first day of episode, and hospitalizations took place with delay of 1-2 days., Conclusions: The preliminary results indicate the relationship between worsening of ambient air quality during the winter smog and the increase in daily number of registered outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to acute respiratory diseases. Med Pr 2018;69(5):523-530., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Background: Switching-on a microwave results in the creation of nano-sized particles, which can spread through the air of a given premise, e.g., room., Material and Methods: The study was carried out to determine the number and surface concentrations as well as the mean particles size using a DiscMini measurement device distributed in 6 measuring points to track changes of particle parameters, primarily at the source of particle creation and in the area of local ventilation (fume cupboard), and also in other places, e.g., near the window or in the middle of the room., Results: Where the fume cupboard was switched-off, i.e., normal pressure ventilation in the room, switching-on the microwave caused a 9.42-14.14-fold increase in the number concentration of nano-sized particles relative to the background and a 3.51-4.81-fold increase in the surface concentration. Where the fume cupboard was switched-on, i.e., negative pressure ventilation in the room switching-on the microwave caused a 3.20-4.43-fold increase in the number concentration of nano-size particles relative to the background and a 1.61-1.89-fold increase in the surface concentration., Conclusions: The analysis of the data shows that switching-on a microwave for 5 min results in the creation of nano-objects already after about 3 min with the maximum concentration values after 12 min since switching-on the microwave in all 6 measurement points distributed in the test room. This applies to both situations, i.e., when the fume cupboard was switchedoff or switched-on. Med Pr 2016;67(3):353-363., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Introduction: Risk factors other than tobacco smoking contribute to about 20% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases. Exposure to these risk factors and their influence on lung function has not been adequately studied in the population of Malopolska., Material and Methods: In random population sample of adults at least forty years old, residents of 2 districts of Malopolska, data on exposure to known and probable respiratory risk factors were collected using questionnaire. All subjects without contraindications performed pre- and post-bronchodilatator spirometry., Results: We analyzed data from 618 subjects; 94,8% subjects lived for longer than 6 months in a dwelling where stove using coal or wood has been used for cooking and/or heating. At the time of study as many as 32.5% subjects were still using coal or wood for cooking or heating. Coal or wood were used as fuel on average for more than 30 years; 67% of subjects have ever worked in professions carrying a risk of exposure to potential respiratory risk factors. We have identified an independent relationship of farming with lower FEV1/FVC values as well as increased chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk., Conclusions: Significant proportion of Malopolska inhabitants has been exposed to risks associated with cooking or heating with coal or wood. In the studied population farming was related to increased risk of chronic obstructive respiratory disease.

Pleural mesothelioma is an extremely rare neoplasm. Its etiology is related to professional or environmental exposure to asbestos dust. In the present research, the analysis of frequency and causes of death due to asbestos-related cancers in the district polluted with asbestos in comparison with the district free of such pollution has been performed. The increase has been highlighted in the mortality rate because of pleural mesothelioma among inhabitants of the area polluted with asbestos wastes.

Introduction: Skin prick tests are a common, fast and safe method used for atopy screening and identification of sensitizing allergens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the positive skin prick test (SPT) with common inhaled allergens in the general population of Lodz province and to identify the most common allergens., Material and Methods: A random sample of 1522 subjects aged from 3 to 80 was taken. Demographic data and medical histories were collected from all participants via standardized questionnaires. Skin prick tests were performed with ten aeroallergens., Results: The complete data from 1340 subjects (1057 adults and 283 children) were included for further analysis. At least one positive reaction to a tested aeroallergen was observed in 24.4% of studied subjects (24% of adults and 25.4% of children). Positive tests were observed most frequently in the group of patients with rhinitis. 12.2% of subjects showed a positive skin reaction without clinical symptoms of an allergic disease. The most common sensitizing allergens were house dust mites. No significant differences in sex and age between groups with positive SPT and negative SPT were observed in the study. Statistically significant differences between the studied regions (p = 0.037) were noticed in the case of the number of positive reactions and the kind of sensitizing allergen., Conclusions: The distribution of positive skin tests in the above study was similar to several epidemiological studies from central and eastern Europe. Skin prick tests are valuable epidemiological tools in the diagnosis of atopy and allergy.

This work presents the zinc and copper content in the hair measured by the flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS). Prior to the FAAS analysis mineralized samples in HNO3+H2O2 (2:1 v/v) solution using microwave technique. Early, all samples washed with water-acetone-water, because grease and dust on the surface of hair may contribute of the element concentrations of hair. Hair samples were collected from people who were not exposed to the contact with copper or zinc. The influence of the variable place of residence, age, sex, was also examined. The mean content of copper was 11.51 +/- 1.27 mg/g dry weight and zinc 146.32 +/- 14.93 mg/g dry weight. The places of residence sex and age were variables that significantly affected copper and zinc concentrations. Men's had more copper and zinc in their hair than women's, whereas hair zinc and copper levels were significantly correlated with the place of the residence and age. The methods were free from interferences, reliable and reproducible. For all metals present in real samples, precision was better than 0.4% (RSD).

There are exposures to various organic and inorganic xenobiotics related to municipal waste incineration in work places and environment close to incinerators. Among others, these are polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, furans, chlorophenols, mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, toxic metals and irritation gases. Numerous studies revealed that these chemicals and their metabolites were generally not elevated in worker's blood and urine and in persons living near incinerators. The epidemiological studies indicate increased cancer risk and excess of ischemic heart disease in incinerator workers. In residents living in the vicinity of incinerators, a slightly increased cancer risk, respiratory symptoms, multiple pregnancy, congenital abnormalities, and disturbances in thyroid hormone levels were observed. However, these data do not provide univocal evidence that the cause-effect relationship between exposure and health risk does really exist.

Unlabelled: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with hyperproduction of immunoglobulin E directed against common environmental allergens., Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate type of immunological reaction indicated by airborne allergens in the pathomechanism of atopic dermatitis., Material and Methods: 529 patients with AD aged (0.5-60 years) who fulfilled basic Hanifin and Rajka criterias and 60 healthy volunteers in the control group were investigated. In order to evaluate IgE-mediated allergy to common airborne and alimentary allergens skin prick tests (SPT) were performed (26 airborne and 7 basic alimentary allergens) and concentration of serum antigen specific IgE (asigE) was measured., Results: Our results indicated airborne allergy in case of 405 patients (76.6%) and food allergy only in 67 cases (12.7%). In the group of children aged 0.5-4 years food allergy was predominant but later on the predominance of airborne allergy was observed., Conclusions: We conclude that airborne allergy plays an important and predominant role in the pathomechanism of atopic dermatitis.

There is increasing evidence that both the prevalence and severity of atopic diseases are progressively increasing in developed countries. Similar trends are also observed in rural societies which are in the process of urbanization. If allergy is really malaise of modern society, what are the environmental and societal factors responsible for it's emergence? Authors discuss this problems underlining causative role of both factors in the development of allergic disease including food allergy.

The values of pneumoconiosis risk in welders calculated against the dust doses that induce this pathology do not show linear relationship. In the group of electrical welders, relative risk (RR) was found statistically significant at the doses of 251-500 g; 1001-1500 g and 5501-6000 g. In the group of semi-automatic welders, similar results were observed. Odd ratio, calculated at workposts of semi-automatic welding with CO2 shield, showed that, depending on the size of a daily dose of dust, statistically significant RR was found at the doses of 1.6-2.0; 2.1-2.5; and 2.6-3.0 mg/kg/day. In the group of electric welders, statistically significant RR was observed at the doses of 2.1-2.5; 6.1-6.5; and 9.1-9.5 mg/kg/day. This may suggest that welding dust at workposts of semi-automatic welding is more aggressive. The division of welders by their dates of birth showed that in the group of welders born by 1945, the mean age at which they developed pneumoconiosis was almost 50 +/- 0.4 years, and the mean duration of occupational exposure was 25 +/- 0.3 years. In the group of welders born after 1945, these values were 36 +/- 0.6 years and 12.8 +/- 0.2 years, respectively.

Short term exposure limits (STEL) are introduced to prevent acute effects of substances whose workday concentrations are maintained below OEL-TWA. The aim of this paper was to compare the procedures of setting STEL and practicing their application for chemical agents in Poland and other selected countries (USA, Germany, UK) and in the European Union in general. Based on the review, a new concept of STEL was proposed. It involves drastic decrease in the number of substances with dual hygiene standards and maintenance of departures above TWA within some reasonable limits, depending on variability of concentrations expressed as geometric standard deviation, if the availability of toxicological data is limited. In view of the changed STEL definition, a new air sampling strategy has been proposed. It is based on the worst case samples with possibility of restrain from sampling in case of homogenous exposure.

Cigarette smoke, treated as smoke inhaled by active smokers, was generated using self-made smoking-machine and with application of formerly established parameters of individual smoking process. Carbon monoxide was analysed in generated smoke. It was concluded, that diversified smoking process is very individual (different volume and duration time of puff and intervals between puffs) and therefore influences levels of carbon monoxide in MS (from 3.5 to 17.5 mg/cigarette). Simultaneously, carbon monoxide was analysed in exhaled air by active smokers just after each puff. Difference between inhaled and exhaled dose of carbon monoxide was treated to calculated individual retention of carbon monoxide in active smoker's respiratory tract. Mean relative retention was 57.6% and differences between single values were lower than in the cases of CO levels in MS and absolute retention. Estimation of carbon monoxide inhaled doses was proceeded according to environmental standards. Forecasted blood concentration of HbCO after smoking of twenty cigarettes equals 2.3 to 10.4%. These results are similar to the situation that people would inhale air containing CO with concentration 1.2 to 5.5-times higher than limiting value.

Authors present the problem of air-pollution in Central Europe at the turn of centuries. The main sources (natural & antropogenic), main types of pollutants (particularly SO2 and O3), WHO atmospheric air quality Guidelines, outdoor & indoor air pollution, episodic and chronic consequences and mechanisms with clinical effects of air pollution on the respiratory system (function, self-defence) were shortly performed).

Food hypersensitivity and airborne allergens may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the kind of food and airborne allergens which may most often induce and intensify AD lesions and also to assess the variability and the kind of allergens leading to AD. The subjects of this study were 610 persons, aged 3 months-70 years. The clinical status of the patients was estimated by an atopic dermatitis symptom score scale (SCORAD). The laboratory examinations differentiated inflammatory processes from allergic reactions. The skin prick tests (SPT), serum total IgE and specific IgE-antibody levels to chosen food products and standard airborne allergens with the immuno-enzymes method ELISA-DPC were performed. The elevated values of the total IgE were proved in 46.1% children from group 0-15 years and in 31.4% of adolescents and adult persons (above 15 year of age). On the basis of positive SPT and positive specific IgE values it was shown, that most frequent food allergens were: egg protein (13.0%), cow milk (9.5%), egg yolk (8.4%), wheat (3.6%) and chocolate (1.8%). The most often airborne allergens connected with AD were: grass (11.6%), moulds (10.2%), house dust mites (9.3%), pollen like hazel (8.0%) and weeds (6.7%), animal allergens coming from cats (7.2%) and dogs (6.1%). The food hypersensitivity was particularly manifested in children. It may be the predictor of potential future development of allergic disease as well as the indicator of the allergic march.

Among all specific environmental pollution the chemical compounds released in the oil refine process seem to hold the biggest interest. At Medical University of Warsaw we have been studying the influence of the Płock petroleum refinery plant pollution to citizens' health status for over 30 years. The high amount of hydrocarbons--including benzene--were presented in emission. One of the study objectives was to analyze death causes in Płock and Kutno and in the Płock area--according to environmental criteria. The population of the non-petrochemic polluted city Kutno was chosen as the control group. The previous analysis in 1984-1993 showed increased lymphatic or erythrocyte line leukaemia mortality in Płock population vs Kutno population. Similar situation was observed between the area of increased environmental petrochemical pollution and non-polluted area. In this article the Potential Years of Life Lost ratio was used to estimate the life deficiency as the measure of health needs due to mentioned neoplasms. Data indicate that the health needs are bigger than the mortality analysis has shown.

Bronchial asthma belongs to a large group of illnesses of allergic and inflammatory origin. Despite long-term studies still not much is known about the factors inducing children's bronchial asthma. This fact influenced the line of the research. The research included 5945 children of 10-11 from 86 primary schools of the Katowice province (presently Silesian province). The factor evaluated was the influence of the exposure to air pollution on asthma induction. The data concerning the exposure was obtained from questionnaires, reports of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management and medical examinations. The dependence analyses were conducted with the use of statistical packets Statistica and BUGS. The analysis proved that long-term exposure to SO2 caused an increased number of cases of children's asthma (correlation R = 0.95 with p < 0.05), whereas the current concentration of Sos did not correlate with the number of asthmatic children (p > 0.05). The concentration of dust did not correlate with occurrence of asthma (p > 0.05). The exposure to NO2 caused a significant increase in incidence of asthma (R = 0.98 with p < 0.05). Previous exposure to CO did not influence the occurrence of asthma (p < 0.05) whereas its present concentration correlated with the number of cases of children's bronchial asthma (R = 0.918 with p = 0.001). The results obtained point to significant influence of long-term exposure to nitrogen and sulphur oxides on later development of asthma (a comparison between the concentration of these gases in the past and the present state of health). As far as evaluation of the influence of the present pollution concentrations is concerned the results were not so unequivocal (perhaps the duration of exposure has been too short to allow for the development of the illness). The fact that the results of the research are unequivocal points to the necessity to change the evaluation method of the children's exposure to environmental factors. This concerns especially the estimation of gas pollution in the air by measuring the blocmarkers in the organic liquids, and not only by evaluation of the exposure to the factors in the air.

The main purpose of the paper was to assess the prevalence of atopy in the population of preadolescent children in Krakow on the basis of allergic skin testing to airborne allergens and to look into the relationship between atopy and chronic asthma-like respiratory symptoms. The field study was carried out in 1998 among 311 children being the subgroup of the cohort of 1044 children included in the 3-year follow-up in Krakow. The health assessment accounted for the standardised interviews and skin prick testing to 11 common airborne allergens. In the total, the positive allergic reaction at least to only one allergen was found in 32.5% children, and it was more prevalent in boys than in girls (40.4% vs 28.1%). Allergy only to indoor allergens was present in 9.7% children, allergy only to outdoor allergens in 9.7%, and allergy both to outdoor and indoor allergens was confirmed in 13% persons. Most frequently, allergy was established to house mites: Dermatophagoides pter. (16.2%), Dermatophagoides farinae (12.0%) and to cat dander (11.4%). Asthma-like symptoms occurred in 11.0% of children and asthma diagnosed by physician in 7.8% of the sample under the study. The results of this study proved that the prevalence of asthma was about twice so high in boys than in girls. The risk of asthma-like symptoms and/or asthma diagnosed by physician increased significantly with the number of positive allergic tests to airborne allergens (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.11-1.52) and atopy in mother (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.03-3.37).

The analysis of short term relation between daily ambient air pollution and daily number of deaths in Kraków, Poland, during the period 1993-1996 was the purpose of the study. The exposure time series data dealt with sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particles with aero-diameter smaller than 10 microns (PM10). Daily mortality due to all causes and cardiovascular diseases were considered separately for two age groups. The statistical procedures included modelling of potential confounding factors (seasonal patterns, meteorological factors) and in the final analysis the Poisson regression model was applied. Effects were expressed as relative risks per 100 micrograms/m3 increase of the corresponding pollutant levels. It was found that sulphur dioxide was significantly related to mortality from all causes and cardiovascular conditions in the age group 65 years and over whereas the effect of suspended particles was at the borderline significance level. The relative risk of cardiovascular death associated with 100 micrograms/m3 increment of mean daily SO2 was 1.17 (1.10-1.25) in the total sample under study, higher for men (RR = 1.27, CI: 1.12-1.45) than for women (RR = 1.12, CI: 1.01-1.23). The corresponding RRs for PM10 and cardiovascular deaths were 1.06 (0.98-1.16) for men and 1.07 (0.99-1.13) for women. These results strengthen the evidence of casual relationship between ambient air pollution level and daily mortality and pinpoints important health hazards issues for the Kraków inhabitants.

The problem of prematurity in industrial region has been presented. The rate of prematurity in the time of 1972 to 1996 has been estimated and it equaled 13.2%. The highest rate of these newborn reached 16.7% in 1996. Systematical correlation in falling of perinatal mortality has been observed in time of research. Some attempts to compare the way of delivery and perinatal mortality have been made. It has been found that the frequency of caesarean section has grown significantly in the cases of low birth weight newborn.

It was analysed microscopic features of 226 placentas from normal pregnancies. The 146 of them was obtained from phenol's polluted area (Płock) and 80 from control group (Kutno). The exceeding of physiology norm of phenol in 24 hour urine pregnant women from Płock area was measure of pollution.

It was analysed the microscopic features of 226 placentas from normal pregnancies. The 146 of them were obtained from Płock's area and 80 from control group (Kutno). It was demonstrated statistical significant differences in amount of microinfarctions in terminal villi and canalized fibrin in placentas obtained from Płock area in compare with control group.

Aromatic DNA adducts levels were measured in white blood cells collected from three groups of volunteers: occupationally exposed group (cokery workers), environmentally exposed group (residents from Silesia), control group (inhabitants of Biała Podlaska) using ELISA and 32P-postlabelling methods. The highest level of DNA adducts was observed in occupationally exposed group, slightly lower in the environmentally exposed group and much lower in the control group. Seasonal variations in the adducts levels were found in total white blood cells and in lymphocytes showing that the levels of DNA adducts reflect the present exposure to genotoxic agents in the air. It was also shown using 32P-postlabelling with HPLC that not only adducts with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found in human DNA.

The purpose of the paper was to check the hypothesis whether the domestic air quality together with level of outdoor air pollution increases the risk of allergy and whether allergy determines the occurrence of respiratory symptoms. The results of the study have shown that chronic cough was related mainly to allergy, however, chronic phlegm was linked with air quality. Wheezing independent from respiratory infections was associated in the strongest way with allergy (RR = 7.7; 4.7-12.7) and much weaker related to air quality score (RR = 1.3; 1.1-1.5). The occurrence of attacks of breathlessness was confirmed only in allergic children. Allergic rhinitis, similarly to wheezing, was related stronger to allergy (RR = 3.3; 2.5-4.4) than to air quality score (RR = 1; 1.0-1.2). Pulmonary volumes (FVC, FEV1) were not associated with air quality score, but the lower indices of FEV1/FVC and FEF25 - 75% were observed in those who were exposed to poor air quality. The results are in favor of the hypothesis, that air pollutants bring about spasm of smaller airways and it is independent from respiratory symptoms.

The group investigated comprised 60 workers under conditions of chronic exposure to metallic mercury vapours (mean exposure duration--9.3 yrs; mean age of subjects--38.5 yrs). The control group was composed of 24 non-exposed persons (mean age--39.9 yrs). The workers exposed were divided into three groups according to the air concentration of metallic mercury vapours at the workpost, group A--0.15-0.17 mg/m3, group B--0.03-0.08 mg/m3 and group C--0.02-0.03 mg/m3. The workers qualified for the study did not receive any medication containing acetylsalicylic acid derivatives, and did not consume alcoholic drinks for few days prior to the study. Persons with the diagnosis or the history of blood disorders, venous or arterial thrombosis as well as those with diabetes and hyperlipidaemia were excluded from the study. The haemostasis assessment was based on the results of laboratory tests, PLT, TBT, ACT, APTT, HTCT, INR and Fg, AT III, alpha 2 M, FDP, and FM concentrations. The comparison of the exposed and control groups revealed a statistically significant decrease in ACT and AT III concentrations. When particular groups under exposure were compared with one another and the controls, the increased INR and Fg concentrations were found in group A. Moreover, this group showed an increased platelet count, as well as decreased TBT and alpha 2 M concentrations. However, the differences between the groups were statistically insignificant. The results of the study indicated that chronic exposure to mercury may impair haemostasis and lead to hypercoagulability. The latter may result from the deficiency of natural coagulation inhibitors.

The results are presented of the studies of the mutagenic activity of dust samples in atmospheric air in Warsaw in the heating and non-heating seasons. Dust samples were obtained with a Staplex-type device continuously during 24 hours. The dust collected on the filters was extracted with cyclohexane. The devaporized and dried extract, that is the so called tar substances, were the material for further studies. The mutagenic activity of the studied samples was determined using a modification of the test of somatic mutation and recombination (SMART) on Drosophila melanogaster. The cross-bred strain mwh x ORR: flr3/TM3, Ser specially prepared for the research of WAA was used. The dust in atmospheric air of Warsaw showed mutagenic activity which was higher in samples taken in the heating season.

The prevalence of sensitization to common inhalant allergens was assessed among schoolchildren using skin prick tests with standard allergen extracts. The results were analysed in relation to asthma and allergy suggestive symptoms. A positive reaction to at least one allergen was observed in 13.5% children. The most frequent was allergy to timothy, then to house dust mite, birch, mugwort, cat dander and dog dander. Children with wheezing, breathlessness and/or rhinitis had significantly more frequent positive test results compared to children without any complaints.

The count of lymphocytes, lymphocytes T (CD 3+), lymphocytes T-helper (CD 4+), T-suppressor (CD 8+) and NK-cells (CD 16+) as well as immunoglobulins A, D, G, M, complements C3c and C4, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were detected in males exposed to mercury vapours and in males of the control groups. The shift time weight average (TWA) of mercury in ambient air was 0,028 mg x m-3. Mean mercury concentration was from 0 to 240 micrograms x 1(-1) in urine of the study group and from 0-30 micrograms x 1(-1) in blood. Stimulation of lymphocytes system, manifested by an increase number of lymphocytes T, T-helper and T-suppressor in the peripheral blood was observed. Higher increase of T-suppressor cells than T-helper populations was the case of decreased value of the T-helper/T-suppressor ratio by 20.5% (p < 0.05) in workers exposed below 10 or by 21% (p < 0.05) in workers exposed over 10 years. Decrease of immunoglobulin A, G and M concentration in serum of workers exposed to mercury vapours over 20 years was also observed. The concentrations of IgG, C3c, C4 and determined acute phase proteins in serum of exposed subjects did not differ from that in the non-exposed subjects.

Mesotheliomas of pleura are neoplasms that rarely occur. Their etiology is connected with occupational exposure as well as environmental contact with asbestos dust. In this work, two cases of mesotheliomas of pleura are presented: first one with occupational exposure, the other one with environmental exposure. An increased number of mesothelioma diseases has been emphasised and endangerment of inhabitants health living closely to asbestos processing factory as well.

The main purpose of the study was to corroborate the hypothesis that the history of allergic skin reactions is the marker of individual susceptibility of respiratory tract to air pollutants in children. The study has been carried out in two contrast areas of the city regarding the air pollution level. In the dirty area the annual daily mean concentrations of particulate matter was 51.5-74.5 micrograms/m3 and sulfur dioxide 58.4-73.8 micrograms/m3; in the cleaner part of the city the corresponding concentrations were 31.7 and 36.1 micrograms/m3. The medical examination of 171 children covered standardized interviews with mothers and spirometric measurements. The results obtained showed that despite the marked decline in air pollution level, the current level of common air pollutants in the city is hazardous to the health of inhabitants. The children with history of allergic skin reactions have been affected much stronger by the higher level of air pollutants than other children. Beside the higher frequency of chronic cough or phlegm, wheezing or shortness of breath, they had significantly poorer lung function measured by FEVI/FVC index.

Assessment of lung cancer risk due to environmental asbestos dust exposure in the general population was based on the model of risk extrapolation from the occupational (in asbestos-cement plant) to the environmental concentrations. 24-h determinations of asbestos fibre concentrations in the air varied considerably, from 0.4 f/l to 4.6 f/l. The lung cancer risk due to environmental exposure of the general population to asbestos dust has been estimated to be 22 cases p.a. This seems to be very low, considering that the total number of deaths from lung cancer in Poland in 1992 was about 17.5 thousand. The environmental asbestos exposures and their health effects are limited mainly to the areas located in the vicinity of asbestos plants and are attributable primarily to improper utilization of the plant wastes (for example as the surface of local roads and sports grounds at schools) and their unathorized disposal. The incidence of pleural mesothelioma among the inhabitants of those areas seems to be endemic. The endemic character of pleural mesothelioma occurrence has been recently revealed in the vicinity of one of major Polish asbestos and cement plant.

The study was carried out on 541 school children in region with heavy metals air pollution and on 530 children as a control group from free of pollution area. A special attention was layed upon lead intoxication influence on values of PEF. The decrease of PEF values in children in polluted region was documented and suggested close link with lead intoxication.

There are many studies done to identify the genetic hazard from occupational exposure of workers, but rather little is known about genetic effects in inhabitants of polluted areas. The aim of the study was to examine chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and number of micronuclei in lymphocytes of persons living in the close vicinity of a large metallurgical plant. The results were compared with those obtained for the inhabitants of a village located 40 km from the city of Cracow and from the plant. An increased incidence of chromosome aberrations (0.66-4.66%, control 0.78%), sister chromatid exchanges (mean 9.73, control: 6.0) was found in the group living near the steel foundry. The paper also includes some data on measurements of the air pollution in the Nowa Huta region as well as on the amounts of heavy metals in vegetables in this region. Environmental pollution is worsening.

By the case-control method 367 patients with lung carcinoma coming from the autochthonous population of Upper Silesia and 253 similar patients from the population of immigrants from other areas were compared (620 cases, in all) treated in the Institute of Oncology in Gliwice in the years 1982-1989. They accounted for about 85% of all male patients with this tumour. In the analysis three zones of Upper Silesia with varying concentrations of atmospheric pollution, where the patients lived, were considered, estimating the risk of this tumour in relation to pollution level, and standardizing the risk for tobacco smoking and considering data related to the exposure to harmful factors in occupational work. The analysis showed that the so called summarized index of relative risk was about 2.5 times greater for the autochthonous as well as immigrant populations in the zone of greatest atmospheric pollution with statistically significant differences in relation to the relatively most favourable zone (accepted as 1.00) However, the risk was progressively rising only in the autochthonous population (in all 3 zones). That showed that the risk of lung carcinoma was increasing in this population with increasing atmospheric pollution. This evident progression of risk was not found in the population of immigrants, although the risk level in this population living in the zone of greatest pollution was similar to that in the autochthonous population.

The paper presents the results of statistical research into the connection between the weather and aerosanitary conditions on the one hand, and on the other hand the number of the emergency service calls in the selected Emergency Wards and kinds of diseases treated during those calls. There seems to be a strong correlation between the number of emergency calls and the appearance of atmospheric fronts and the concentration of dust and sulphur dioxide in the air.

The harmful effect of cement dust upon living organisms consists in irritating, sensitizing and pneumoconiotic properties of its components. In animal studies it has been observed that cement dust induces atrophic and hypertrophic changes in nasal and pharyngeal mucosa and chronic exfoliative bronchitis. In the lungs of experimental animals slight tissue fibrosis and some emphysema foci were found. The examination of workers exposed to cement dust has shown that disorders of the upper respiratory airways they suffer from include most often chronic rhinitis, laryngitis and pharynx catarrh. Also, it has been noticed that chronic bronchitis in the exposed workers was 1.7 times more frequent compared to those non-exposed, and that asthma was diagnosed in some of the exposed workers. Chronic bronchitis was usually characterized by the symptoms of impaired, obstructive lung ventilation. Defects in lung ventilation were strictly related to the duration of mild cases of cement pneumoconiosis diagnosed in a small percentage of workers who were exposed for at least 10 years to high dust concentrations. Long-term contact of skin with cement results in inflammatory changes or, in some cases, in chemical burns. Etiological factors of inflammatory skin changes are allergenic elements (Cr, Nr, Co) and irritating agents found in cement.

Based on the data collected by the Provincial Regional Administration Unit for Control of Epidemics and Hygiene in Katowice, dust concentration at the MAKOSZOWY Coking Plant in Zabrze at 18 work-places exceeded the TLV's. The purpose of this study was to determine changes within the respiratory systems of experimental animals exposed to intratracheal administration of MAKOSZOWY Coking Plant dust, sampled at the charging larry 3-4 operating stand and at the battery roof. After pulverization the dusts contained 98.1% and 99.6% respirable particles, and 6.5% and 6.0% of SiO2, respectively, determined with the Polezhajev method. They also contained aluminum and iron compounds. Hydroxyproline content in the lungs of the animals following the intratracheal administration of 50 mg of the dusts investigated 3-6 months after the experiment was determined. Determination of Hypro contend within the animals' lungs was pursued with the Stegemann method as modified by Hurych and Chvapil. The biochemical investigation results obtained were statistically analyzed with the t-Student's Test. Single intratracheal administration of dust from the battery roof work stand of the MAKOSZOWY Coking Plant caused within 6 months a statistically significant increase in the lung Hydroxyproline level in experimental animals (t = 13.10). An almost triole Hypro increase with respect to the control group was observed. No analogy between lung Hypro level increase (12.833 mg) and histological change was noted. Such a significant lung Hydroxyproline level increase could have been due to the SiO2 content of dust (6%), as well as to the presence of iron compounds in it (4.98%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Skin tests, IgE level and eosinophils percentage were determined in 337 employees of the "Hydrokop" Works in Cracow. These investigations aimed at seeking more specific markers of allergy than anamnesis and skin tests. Allergy was reported by 108 individuals (38%). Some features of atopy were confirmed in 7.5%. Skin tests were positive in 36 individuals and were related to atopy in 55%. IgE levels were 10 IU/ml--greater than 1000 IU/ml with the distribution similar to log-normal. Mean IgE concentration was relatively high (202 IU/ml, in the individuals with confirmed congenital allergy. Percentage of eosinophils exceeded 3% in 39 subjects out of which 17 reported the symptoms of allergy. IgE level and percentage of eosinophils are controversial as the markers of atopy due to the contribution of various non-allergic factors while skin tests correlate well with allergic diseases which were relatively frequent in the examined group.

Aromatic hydrocarbons hydroxylase (AHH)--an enzyme of monooxydases group--catalyzes hydroxylation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons yielding compounds of the direct cancerogenic properties. Inducibility determined genetically is a characteristic feature of AHH. Inducibility of AHH in patients with cancer of the lungs is higher than that in healthy population. According to some authors general population may be classified into three groups of : high, moderate, and low degree of AHH inducibility. A significant increase in the incidence of neoplasms related to an exposition to PAH was noted in patients with increased AHH inducibility. These neoplasms include: carcinoma of the lungs, mouth and larynx, cancer of the pharynx and leukoplakia. Moreover, the onset of these neoplasms is earlier than in subjects with moderate and low inducibility of AHH.