[Effect of atmospheric pollution on respiratory function in children from Venice (author's transl)].

The respiratory function has been compared in two standard school populations. A sample, of 700 children from the industrial quarters of Venice (highly polluted) and 350 children from the Historic Center (not polluted), has been subjected to a respiratory questionnaire, clinical investigation and plethysmographic functional testing with measurement of airways resistance by the panting method. The changes in the airways resistance were related to the residing area and to the bronchitic episodes in the past, while the family's socio-economic situation and the living area did not play any role.