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.

 

 
1267