THE ALLERGIC REACTION OF CHILDREN DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
GENERATED BY PETROCHEMICAL PLANT
Waldemar M. Wierzba1, Piotr Tyszko2,
Piotr Mierzejewski2, Anna Rowi¨½ska2
1 Plock City Hospital, Plock, Poland
2 The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw,
Poland
Objective: To determine the
influence of enviromental pollution generated by petrochemical plant on
children allergic reaction.
Methods: Children enrolled to the
study have been living in two cities: Płock and Kutno. Kutno has been
chosen as the control area. Płock has been regarded as the area of
exceeding the upper normal range of the environmental pollution. Kutno is
situated out of the reach of pollution factors observed in Płock. Children
examination such as anamnesis, screening tests, physical examination,
humoral and cellular immunity tests etc. were performed. In 1985 - 1986 412
children in Płock and 241 children in Kutno were enrolled to the study. In
1998 were examinated 359 children in Płock and 112 children in Kutno -
about 20 % of this age group.
Results: Compared to children from
Kutno, the increased rate of allergic symptoms (eczema, Quincke's oedema,
urticaria, reaction to the sting of an insect, increased reaction of
respiratory system to hay, dust, pollen, animal's hair) was observed in
Płock children population. The children from Płock have had increased
humoral and cellular immunity reactions too. They have been also ordered
the specialistic allergic treatment more often. This data have been
collected although the higher rate of breast-feeding in Płock (75.2% of
children born in 1979-1980 and 80.8% children born in 1991), in contrast to
Kutno (25.6% and 59.3%, respectively).
Conclusion: The results indicate
the allergic activity of environmetnal pollution generated by petrochemical
plant.