Pulmonary functions in children exposed to polluted air.

In a preliminary study of the effects of polluted air on the functional pulmonary profile in children, 101 children living in an area with heavy air-pollution (Group B) and 103 children from an area with relatively non-polluted air (Group A) were examined. In Group B we found out a significant impairment of the parameters of the flow-volume curve at low volume levels of air in lungs, i.e. FEF25, FEF25/FVC and FEF50/FVC. Tiffaneau's index FEV1% was impaired significantly in girls only. This impairment may be an expression of the peripheral airways lesions due to chronic exposure to polluted air.