Tree pollen spectra and pollen allergy risk in the Osijek-Baranja County.

The forests of north-eastern Croatia, as well as various plants and trees in the parks and streets of the Osijek-Baranja County, produce large amounts of pollen during the pollen season, which can cause allergy symptoms in pollen sensitive individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the most frequent types of pollen in this area and estimate possible health risks, especially the risk of allergy. In 2009 and 2010, the staff of the Health Ecology Department of the Osijek Public Health Institute monitored tree pollen concentrations in four cities from the Osijek - Baranja County (Osijek, Nasice, Dakovo and Beli Manastir) using a Burkard volumetric instrument. The results were affected by weather conditions. Windy and sunny days facilitated the transfer of pollen, whereas during rainy days, the concentration of pollen grains decreased. High pollen concentrations of Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae and Aceraceae could be the cause for symptoms of pollen allergy. In 2009, conifers, birch and poplar pollen were dominant at all monitoring stations with 5000 pollen grains (PG), 3188 PG and 3113 PG respectively. The highest number of pollen grains was recorded at measuring site Osijek. The variations in airborne pollen concentration between pollen seasons were recorded at all monitoring stations. The most obvious variations were recorded at measuring site Osijek. The usual pollination period lasts two to three months, which means that most pollen grains remain present from February to early June. However, the Cupressaceae / Taxaceae pollination periods last the longest and their pollen grains remain present until the end of summer. The risk of allergy was determined at four monitored measuring stations and the obtained data confirmed that the largest number of days with a high health risk was at the Dakovo measuring station for a species of birch. The research information aims to help allergologists and individuals allergic to plant pollen develop preventive measures and proper treatment therapies.

The role of fruit drinks in daily diet of some Osijek inhabitants, Croatia.

The aim of the study was to assess the role of fruit drinks in daily diet of Osijek inhabitants. A special questionnaire was administered to 199 patients visiting a family physician's office during December 2003. The concentration of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) was determined in 42 commercially available fruit drinks. Only 11% (22/199) of study subjects did not take fruit drinks. The mean concentration of vitamin C in all samples was 150.10 +/- 166.83 mg/L. The questionnaire revealed that 89% (177/199) of study subjects using fruit drinks were taking a mean of 0.4 L of fruit drink per day, yielding a mean of 60.04 mg of vitamin C, i.e. 100% of the recommended daily allowance of 60 mg. Study results indicated fruit drinks to be a significant source of vitamin C in daily diet, however, great variation in vitamin C intake according to socioeconomic status of study subjects and type of fruit drink should be noted.

High exposure to arsenic from drinking water at several localities in eastern Croatia.

This study investigated the relationship between arsenic concentrations in drinking water in four towns/villages in eastern Croatia and corresponding hair arsenic concentrations of residents. The mean arsenic concentrations in community drinking water samples were 0.14, 37.88, 171.60, and 611.89 microg/l. The corresponding mean concentrations of the element in hair samples of subjects residing in each of the localities were 0.07 (n=11), 0.26 (n=17), 1.74 (n=11), and 4.31 microg/g (n=23). Chronic exposures to arsenic levels estimated in three investigated locations could present a serious health threat to around 3% of Croatian population.

Daily caffeine intake among Osijek High School students: questionnaire study.

AIM: To assess caffeine intake habits of Osijek high school students and identify the most important sources of caffeine intake. METHODS: Adjusted Wisconsin University Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire was administered to 571 high school students (371 boys and 200 girls in the ninth grade) from Osijek, the largest town in eastern Croatia. The level of caffeine in soft drinks was determined by the high pressure liquid chromatography method, and in chocolate and coffee from the literature data. RESULTS: Only 10% of our participants did not use foodstuffs containing caffeine. The intake of caffeine originated from soft drinks (50%), coffee (37%), and chocolate (13%). The mean caffeine concentration in soft drinks was 100-/+26.9 mg/L. The mean estimated caffeine intake was 62.8-/+59.8 mg/day. There was no statistically significant difference between boys and girls in caffeine consumption (1.0-/+0.9 mg/kg bw for boys vs 1.1-/+1.4 mg/kg bw for girls). Daily caffeine intake of 50-100 mg was recorded in 32% of girls and 29% of boys, whereas intake greater than 100 mg/day was recorded in 18% of girls and 25% of boys. CONCLUSION: Soft drinks containing caffeine were the major source of caffeine intake in high school students. Large-scale public health measures are needed to inform the public on health issues related to excessive intake of caffeine-containing foodstuffs by children and adolescents.