The effect of air pollution on pulmonary function in young men from different regions of Poland

UNLABELLED: The aim of study was to evaluate possible influence of air pollution on pulmonary function in the population of 1278 healthy non-smoking young men (18-23 years old) from different parts of Poland. Poland was divided into three regions depending on different concentration of SO2, NO2 and airborne particulate matter (PM10) in the air: region 1 comprised North Poland--agricultural areas with the lowest concentrations of pollution, region 2 comprised Central Poland--big agglomerations with moderate air pollution, region 3 comprised South Poland--big agglomerations and industrial centres with the highest pollution level. Subjects were divided further according to a study place (North Group--subjects from region 1, Central Group--subjects from region 2 and South Group--subjects from region 3). Spirometry and bodypletysmography were performed at rest by using of mobile lab PNEUMOBIL (Jaeger). The results of the study were statistically analysed with the use computer packet Statistica. RESULTS OF THE STUDY: Significant decrease of medium values of pulmonary function test (PFT) was observed in the non-smokers from the region of increased air pollution (South Group) in comparison to the non-smokers from the region of low pollution level (North Group).