ACUTE HEALTH-EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH-LEVELS OF AIR-POLLUTION IN EASTERN-EUROPE

Acute effects of winter-type air pollution characterized by high level s of SO2, moderate levels of particles, and low acidity were studied. A panel of 155 asthmatic children and 102 adults with a history of ast hma from the former German Democratic Republic cities of Erfurt and We imar and from the Czech Republic city of Sokolov participated from Sep tember 1990 through June 1992. The panelists recorded daily symptoms, medication intake, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Statistical analysi s was based on linear regression of population-averaged time series co ntrolling for trend, meteorology, and autocorrelation. A temporospatia l time series approach was also applied to the data to eliminate possi ble confounding by some known or unknown variables that occurred simul taneously in two of the study areas. Weak same-day effects and a stron ger cumulative effect of air pollution on children was observed both f or PEF and for symptoms. PEF decreased -0.90% (-1.35 to -0.46%), and a symptom score increased 14.7% (0.8 - 28.6%) in association with an av erage increase of 128 mu g/m(3) SO2 over the previous 5 days, Effects on adults were smaller and less consistent. Morbidity of children was best predicted by SO2 and sulfate concentrations. The authors conclude that prolonged, high exposure to winter-type pollution was associated with small adverse health effects in asthmatics.