ABSTRACT
There is little evidence to support the hypothesis that high levels of so2 and particulate matter are causal factors for the inception of asthma and allergies. In areas of East Germany and Poland with high concentrations of S02 and particulate matter, the prevalence of asthma, BHR, and atopic sensitization was significantly lower than in less polluted areas in West Germany and Sweden, respectively (6,7). The prevalence of bronchitis and symptoms of the upper respiratory tract may, however, be associated with increasing levels of these pollutants (6,209,210).
