RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMON AIR-POLLUTANTS IN TEPLICE, CZECH-REPUBLIC

In the framework of the systematic investigation of the environment of the district of Teplice (Northern Bohemia), one of the most polluted regions in Europe, an attempt was made to estimate health risks to the inhabitants posed by the most common air contaminants (SO2, NOx, part iculate matter). A meta-analysis of data published in recent papers de aling with health effects was performed. At first we weighed the numbe r of positive and negative findings focusing on the following health i ndicators: prevalence of symptoms (coughing, wheezing), decreased resp iratory function, prevalence of respiratory illness, and acute mortali ty. Only those categories in which the positive findings prevailed wer e taken into consideration and median values for LOAELs were calculate d from the data referring to positive dose-response relationships. The exposure assessment was based upon a series of data on daily concentr ations of the air contaminants in Teplice since 1975. Due to the somat ic and respiration parameters, as well as to their habits, children be tween the ages of 8 and 10 appeared the most heavily exposed of all ag e groups. Tt was concluded that in real concentrations the risk is pos ed mainly from sulphur dioxide and, above all, from particulate matter . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.