Air pollution and daily mortality in Erfurt, east Germany, 1980-1989.

In Erfurt, Germany, unfavorable geography and emissions from coal burning lead to very high ambient pollution (up to about 4000 micrograms/m3 SO2 in 1980-89). To assess possible health effects of these exposures, total daily mortality was obtained for this same period. A multivariate model was fitted, including corrections for long-term fluctuations, influenza epidemics, and meterology, before analyzing the effect of pollution. The best fit for pollution was obtained for log (SO2 daily mean) with a lag of 2 days. Daily mortality increased by 10% for an increase in SO2 from 23 to 929 micrograms/m3 (5% quantile to 95% quantile). A harvesting effect (fewer people die on a given day if more deaths occurred in the last 15 days) may modify this by +/- 2%. The effect for particulates (SP, 1988-89 only) was stronger than the effect of SO2. Log SP (daily mean) increasing from 15 micrograms/m3 to 331 micrograms/m3 (5% quantile to 95% quantile) was associated with a 22% increase in mortality. Depending on harvesting, the observable effect may lie between 14% and 27%. There is no indication of a threshold or synergism. The effects of air pollution are smaller than the effects of influenza epidemics and are of the same size as meterologic effects. The results for the lower end of the dose range are in agreement with linear models fitted in studies of moderate air pollution and episode studies.

[Investigations on the clothing of preschool-children during winter (author's transl)]. / Erhebung über die Bekleidung von Vorschulkindern im Winter.

These investigations should control the effect of increased indoor-temperatures in facilities for children and flats on the clothing-habits of 1--3 aged children during the heating period. The indoor- and outdoor-clothing was scored by the number of dress-layers investigated in 977 crèche-children. All these attempts were carried out while 23 days during the winter 1976/77 in 2 crèches which differed significantly referring to the distribution of indoor-temperature. The statistical evaluation results that all children were dressed nearly in the like wise in spite of a considerable difference of the temperature in both crèches; only the covering of the arms was significant less in the warmer new-builded crèch. The investigations showed further that the outdoor-clothing of the children was often not according to the climate. Even 10 degrees C difference of temperature were rarely followed by variations of the outdoor-clothing. Finally the dress of 1--3 aged children can be estimated as too abundant.

[Electron-microscopy studies of capillaries of the dialyser C-DAK 4 with reference to multiple use]. / Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen von Kapillaren des Dialysators C-DAK 4 unter dem Aspekt der mehrfachen Wiederverwendung.

The results of the examinations show that the integrity of the wall of the capillary is not impaired by the process of purification, but, on the other hand, functional changes by thrombotic occlusion as well as disseminated deposits of protein may be expected. The temporary regime of dialysis mus consider this fact in order to achieve a constant effect. But on principle from the clinical experience and on the basis of these results of examinations a manifold use of the dialysator of the capillary in carrying out the purification measures mentioned may be recommended.

[Dust-measurements in the air of school-sporthalls (author's transl)]. / Uber Staubgehaltsuntersuchungen in der Luft von Schulturnahallen.

Corresponding to the importance of sport in infancy and youth there were made experimental studies to examine the load of dust in school-sporthalls. In one selected school-sporthall of Erfurt 900 dust-measurements with Zeiss-Conimeter type 10 were carried out for a half-year in winter, and supplementary it was measured with the soviet conimeter type A 3-4 some days. The statistical evaluation allowed a break down of the sport-exercises in 3 groups dependent of the lot airborne dust in the sporthall: 1. gymnastic with apparatus 2. physical training on-floor 3. running and plays. The average quantities of dust during these three above mentioned exercises increase from group 1 to group 3, and they differ significantly. The results are discussed in connection with the literature which for the greater part originates from Poland and Soviet Union.