Vehicle pollutants: effects on the lung.

As concern about pollution of the environment and the consequent effects on health grows nationally and internationally, the role of the nurse as health promoter is increasing in importance. The Royal College of Nursing responded to this concern by establishing an Environmental Working Party, of which the author is a member. This article considers one type of pollution, that caused by vehicles, and its effects on the functioning of the lung. The author argues that nurses need to be familiar with environmental determinants of health if they are to work towards upholding a 'health' service.