Ambient air quality and the frequency of physician visits by preschool children

Introduction. Ambient air pollution in the town of Kakanj, mostly of industrial origin, has become a major reason for increased use of health care services by children under the age of six years. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), suspended particles and nitrogenoxides (NOx), and the frequency/number of visits to health care institutions by children under the age of six years. Material and methods. The investigation was carried out in the period from January to December 2003, in the area of Kakanj and Brnjic. We examined the average number of monthly visits to health care institutions and concentrations of sulphur dioxide, suspended particles and nitrogen oxides in the town of Kakanj. Results. The investigation shows that there is a linear increase of visits to health care institutions in relation to linear increase of concetrations of sulphur dioxide, suspended particles and nitrogen oxides (O<R<+1). An increase in visits to health care institutions significantly correlates (0.05) with the average concetrations of sulphur dioxide (0.713) and suspended particles (0.433), and with the average concentrations of nitrogen oxides (0.901). Discussion. High correlation between the increase in visits to health care institutions and increased concentrations of nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide was also found by Berktas, Jazbec, Transande. Conclusion. Children under the age of six in the town of Kakanj visit health care institutions considerably more frequently than children of the same age in the village of Brnjic, which significantly correlates with the average monthly concentrations of sulphur dioxide, suspended particles and nitrogen oxides in the air. .