Abstract
The 5th grade school children, a total of 1, 401, from 20 elementary schools in Miyagi Prefecture were investigated by a questionnaire to examine the relationship between the living environment and the health such as respiratory symptoms and allergy. Considering the effects of automobile exhand and agricultural chmicals, their living environment was classified into four ; 1) city area, 2) suburban area, 3) small town (surrounded with farming area), 4) agricultural area. Prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and allergy were in the following order; city > suburban > small town > agricultural area. The prevalence rates of currently having any allergy and pollinosis were statistically higher in the city area. Air pollutant concentrations such as NO2 and SPM were highest in the city area and lowest in the agricultural area. It was noted that indoor environments were extremely different among the areas. Statistically significant higher rates in the city area were found as follows ; houses made of reinforced concrete, houses constructed or reformed within 3 years, smoking mothers, indoor pets such as birds and dogs, the use of carpets and vinyl chloride wall materials. It is considered that the indoor environment as well as air pollution due to traffic affect children's health condition.
