[Air pollution and lung diseases in adults]

Short-time exposure to air pollutants and in particular to sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and photochemical oxidants may cause respiratory symptoms similar to acute bronchial asthma. In healthy adults however the concentrations required to evoke significant bronchial obstruction lie still above the level of atmospheric air pollution usually observed in our country. In contrast patients with preexisting pulmonary diseases or with impaired bronchopulmonary defense mechanisms may show harmful reactions even at concentrations which actually occur in urban and rural atmospheres. In addition there is evidence of on increased prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in countries with high chemical pollution indicating that long-term exposure of ambient air pollution may cause chronic illness as well. Since air pollution is accepted to produce adverse health effects, emergent efforts are required to improve air quality in order to avoid further injuries in man.