[Air pollution from the Soviet Union and mortality in Finnmark]

The effect of airborne pollution, especially nickel, from Kola has been studied in 10,612 persons who participated in a cardiovascular screening survey in Finnmark in 1974-75. The age-range was 35-49 years and a follow-up for death was conducted up to 1985. Men living in the community of Sør-Varanger (close to the border) had a relative risk (RR) for death from diseases of 1.2 (95% confidence intervall; 0.9-1.6) compared with the rest of Finnmark, for women RR = 1.1. The increase in mortality for men was due to infactus cordis RR = 1.5 (1.0-2.4), and was not consistent for women (RR = 0.9). The study does not support the view that air pollution in this area has increased the risk of death.