[Atopy, environmental pollution and respiratory function. Study of 1000 children from 2 areas of the city of Naples].

The aim of this study was to observe the chronic respiratory deficiency in childhood caused by two possible motives: allergy and ambiental pollution. We executed aerial samples in two zones of Naples, one (USL 45) with heavy pollution because many factories present and other with slight pollution (USL 40). The authors calculated the PEF (Peak Expiratory Flow at the first second) and in a group of subject also the spirometric values, in two groups of subjects, one of atopic children and in the other of non atopic children. The study showed a greater number of atopic subjects with abnormal PEF in the zone with heavy pollution; in non atopic children the abnormal PEF was greater in the zone with heavy pollution (35.2%) in comparison with slight pollution zone (3%).