Pollution profiles at different kindergarten sites in Leipzig, Germany

Between Jan. and Dec. 1994, the outdoor air quality of the city of Leipzig, Germany, was examined at 13 kindergartens. SO2, CO, NOX, O-3, total suspen ded particles, sedimentation dust and volatile organic compounds were measu red. Although each monitoring site appears to have its own individual pollu tant profile, two general pollution profiles could be identified using prin cipal component analysis. These profiles are largely attributable to two do minant emission sources, domestic heating and traffic. Indicator components were identified for both pollution profiles. Benzene was found to be the i ndicator component for traffic and SO2 for domestic heating. The predominat ing types of pollution are reflected in the prevalences of respiratory dise ases among 311 children investigated based on parent-completed questionnair es. High traffic pollution was found to be associated with an increased occ urrence of asthma and allergies and domestic heating with bronchitis. (C) 1 999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.