ADVERSE HEALTH-EFFECTS OF AIR-POLLUTANTS IN A NONSMOKING POPULATION

Utah Valley has provided an interesting and unique opportunity to eval uate the health effects of respirable particulate air pollution (PM(10 )). Residents of this valley are predominantly nonsmoking members of t he Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). The area has moderately high average PM(10) levels with periods of highly elevated PM(10) concentrations due to local emissions being trapped in a stagn ant air mass near the valley floor during low-level temperature invers ion episodes. Due to a labor dispute, there was intermittent operation of the single largest pollution source, an old integrated steel mill. Levels of other common pollutants including sulfur dioxide, ozone, an d acidic aerosol are relatively low. Studies specific to Utah Valley h ave observed that elevated PM(10) concentrations are associated with: (1) decreased lung function; (2) increased incidence of respiratory sy mptoms; (3) increased school absenteeism; (4) increased respiratory ho spital admissions; and (5) increased mortality, especially respiratory and cardiovascular mortality.