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Subpopulations at increased risk of adverse health outcomes from air pollution

¹ Dept of Epidemiology of Immediate Hypersensitivity, INSERM U472: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Villejuif, France, ² Dept of Epidemiology ASL RME, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy, ³ Dept of Clinical Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy, ⁴ Dept of Public Health, School of Medicine Paris XIII, Bobigny, France

CORRESPONDENCE: I. Annesi-Maesano, Dept of Epidemiology of Immediate Hypersensitivity, INSERM U472: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 16, Ave PV-Couturier, F94807 Villejuif, France. Fax: 33 145595169. E-mail: annesi@vjf.inserm.fr

Keywords: air pollution, elderly, gender, respiratory diseases, sex, susceptibility

Received: April 12, 2002
Epidemiological research to identify subpopulations with enhanced susceptibility to air pollution is still at an early stage.

From the available studies, there is evidence that both "endogenous" and "exogenous" factors contribute to individual susceptibility. Females and the elderly are at an increased risk of pollution-related diseases. Moreover, some chronic clinical conditions seem to be good candidates for identifying the "frail" populations: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including asthma, coronary heart diseases, congestive heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders.

It seems clear that epidemiological research on susceptibility in the future should investigate the underlying biological and physiological mechanisms, in addition to the environmental and toxicological effects.