EPIDEMIOLOGY OF POLLUTION-INDUCED AIRWAY DISEASE - URBAN RURAL DIFFERENCES IN EAST AND WEST-GERMANY/

The prevalence of asthma and allergic disorders was assessed in 9-11 y ear-old children in Leipzig and Halle in East Germany, as well as in M unich, West Germany. Both East German cities are heavily polluted due to private burning of coal and industrial emissions, while Munich has low smoke emissions but heavy road traffic. All fourth grade pupils in Munich were compared with those in Leipzig and Halle. Non-specific ai rway disease (bronchitis), cough, and autumn/winter nasal symptoms wer e most prevalent in Leipzig and Halle. Hay fever and skin test reactiv ity to aeroallergens were higher in West Germany compared with East Ge rmany. Furthermore, the prevalence of asthma was also higher in the We st German study area. Increased skin prick test reactivity in the West explained the increased prevalence of asthma. Longitudinal analysis s howed increased respiratory symptoms on days with high mean levels of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, as well as on days with a high peak level of 10 mu respirable particles (PM10) in East Germany. The effects of these pollutants were additive. Exposure to heavy road traf fic in Munich was related to decreased pulmonary function and non-spec ific airway symptoms, but not to allergic sensitization and asthma.