A. MUKHERJEE AND G. MUKHERJEE
Abstract
Recent monitoring by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (W.B.P.C.B. 1997) revealed marked deterioration of both ambient and traffic air qualities within Calcutta Metropolitan Area (CMA). The present work compares between the ventilatory function of two groups of primary school children, one within CMA and another in an area with better ambient air qualities. The observations are indicative of a slight but statistically significant impairment of lung fuction in the former group exposed to higher concentration of pollutants in the ambient air. The findings warrant long term prospective studies to assess the possible risk of developing obstructive lung disease in such children at later age.