Air pollution and its effects in adults working at different levels of exposure

Objective: to test the differences in health conditions between groups of exposed and non exposed workers to environmental pollution in the metropolitan area of Aburrá Valley. Methods: a careful revision of the measurements of environmental pollution agents, precipitation, temperature and sociodemographic variables of the municipalities of the metropolitan area of Aburrá Valley and the eastern region of the department of Antioquia (Colombia) was accomplished. A cross–sectional study was made. A random selection of a population of 3.500 inhabitants was done. A previously standardized survey was applied to selected individuals and respiratory functional tests were also administered to them by means of spirometry. Results: four hundred spirometries were made. Non signifi-cant differences between the two groups were found according to age, sex, smoking habit, consumption and socioeconomic level. Total suspended particles are over 100 µg/m3 and the same applies to the PM10. The workers not exposed have a better relation VEF1/VCF (3.1%). A high risk excess to suffer lung obstructive affections between non exposed workers vs. exposed workers: 68%, RR 1,68 IC (1,19–2,36). Conclusion: air quality in the metropolitan area of Aburrá Valley is not good. There is a risk excess in people exposed to pollution of suffering lung obstructive affections