Abstract
The relation between air pollution and pulmonal ventilatory functions was studied. The pulmonal-ventilatory functions of 1200 children in Tokyo and of 200 pupils in Amagasaki were examined from 1960 till 1962 by the Wright's peak flow meter. As to the evaluation of air pollution, suspended particles were estimated by the tape air sampler method, and sulfer dioxide by the "lead peroxide" method. 1. The negative correlation was found between the amount of suspended particles and the peak flow rate (P.F.R.). 2. In moderately polluted areas, great individual differences was found in P.F.R. 3. The relation of P.F.R. and pollution was divided into three types, i.e. 1) high P.F.R. in the light polluted area, 2) low P.F.R. in the heavy polluted area, and 3) moderate P.F.R. in the moderately polluted area. 4. From the above mentions, long-term and mass examinations of P.F.R. were thought to be necessary for evaluating the effects of air pollution on health. 5. No difference of P.F.R. was observed between two areas in which pollutions differed by around 1 mg SO3/day/100cm2 PbO2.
