Comparison of Pulmonary Function and Other Parameters in Two Communities with Widely Different Air Pollution Levels

Abstract

Persons 30 years of age and over in Seward and New Florence, Pennsylvania were given a series of pulmonary function tests and a 14 x 17 chest X-ray, and questioned concerning details of respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and residence and occupational history. New Florence has "clean" air in Seward, pollution measurements were higher (ex., SO- values 6 times greater). After allowance for differences due to height and age, statistically significant differences in 2 pulmonary function measurements: Average airway resistance and Airway resistance x volume, were found between the study groups in the 2 communities for each sex. A larger proportion of male examinees showing X-ray impression of pneumoconiosis was found in Seward, and a greater percentage of males with X-ray impression of emphysema was found in New Florence. In both communities, the films of about 33% of the males were interpreted as normal. For females, however, about 60% in Seward and about 50% in New Florence were considered normal. This preliminary report does not present analysis of differences in smoking habits, occupational exposure, or length of residence. The technics used in this study may prove helpful in further definition of the relationship between air pollution and the public health problems of pneumoconiosis, emphysema, and bronchitis.