SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-135

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

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Project code: 3-01-135


AMBIENT AND INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH EFFECTS


Main researcher: GENTILIZZA, MIRJANA (13276)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/94.
Papers on project (total): 58
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 7
Institution name: Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb (22)
Department/Institute: Department for Environmental Hygiene
Address: Ksaverska cesta 2
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (1) 434-188
Fax: 385 (1) 274-572
E-mail: sega@olimp.irb.hr
E-mail: kreso.sega@x400.irb.hr
Summary: During a three-year period mass concentrations of air pollutants were determined, and their frequencies and seasonal variations were assessed. The pollutants were: sulphur dioxide, sulphates, nitrogen dioxide, suspended particulates and their metals content, six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde and ammonia. The relationship between different pollutants and their interactions in the ambient air were studied because the products of the reactions are often considered to be more harmful to human health than primary pollutants. Time budget databases for different population subgroups were formed showing that people spent more time indoors. Therefore the concentration levels of pollutants and their frequencies were determined in indoor air in different microenvironments. The databases were used for the development and evaluation of a dynamic model of human exposure to air pollutants. The specific objective of the study of health effects was to evaluate the effect of environmental pollution on the occurrence and development of respiratory disease in populations and to propose preventive and prophylactic measures. The incidence of respiratory diseases, the values of lung function tests and immediate hypersensitivity responses may be associated, directly or indirectly, with air pollutants.

Keywords: ambient air, indoor air, heterogenous reactions, exposure, passive samplers, model, SO2, particles, metals, SO4, HCHO, NOx, phenols, PAH, respiratory system, bronchial reactivity, immunology

Research goals: Taking into account that products of sulphur dioxide oxidation are often considered to be more harmful to human health than sulphur dioxide itself, heterogeneous oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphates in different areas (industrial and urban) has been investigated. A shift in this relationship in favour of sulphate has been observed in the presence of high concentrations of metals and suspended particulates in the air. However, suspended particulates as well as lead content show a tendency to diminish. The metal concentration levels in urban areas have changed because of lower traffic activities and use of lead-free petrol. The concentration levels of air pollutants in indoor environment were determined and their frequency distributions were calculated. A dynamic model for human exposure assessment has been developed and evaluated. The model could also be useful in developing pollution limit values or enforcing new legislative. The specific objective of the study of health effects is to evaluate the influence of environmental pollutants on the occurrence and development of respiratory disease in populations and to propose preventive and prophylactic measures.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: JFP 869 US EPA Exposure to particles and particle associated pollutants
    Name of institution: US Environmental Protection Agency
    City: Washington DC, SAD

  2. Name of project: JFP 907 US EPA Passive samplers in human exposure study
    Name of institution: US Environmental Protection Agency
    City: Washington DC, SAD

  3. Name of project: GEMS/Air City Air Quality Trends
    Name of institution: World Helath Organization, Switzerland
    City: Geneva, Switzerland

  4. Name of project: GEMS/Air Laboratory Audit
    Name of institution: Norwegian Institute for Air Research
    City: Lillestrom, Norveška

  5. Name of project: JFP 240 Air Pollutant Exposure Distributions and Their Evaluation with Respect to the Proposed Limit Values
    Name of institution: US Environmental Protection Agency
    City: Washington DC, SAD

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: US Environmental Protection Agency
    Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar
    City: Washington DC, SAD

  2. Name of institution: Ministarstvo zdravstva
    Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  3. Name of institution: Grad Zagreb - "Gradski ured za zdravstvo i socijalnu skrb"
    Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar
    Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  4. Name of institution: World Health Organization
    Type of institution: State administration
    City: Geneva, Switzerland

  5. Name of institution: Norwegian Institute for Air Research
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    City: Lillestrom, Norveška
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Last update: 10/02/95
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