Results of epidemiological studies suggest a significant impact of ambient particulate matter air pollution (PM10 and PM2,5) on the health of the population. Increased level of these pollutants is connected with increased rate of daily mortality and hospitalizations due to cardiovascular diseases. Among analyzed health effects, heart arrhythmias and stroke are mentioned most frequently. The aim of the study was to present the current knowledge of potential influence of the exposure to fine particulate matter on the presence of arrhythmias and strokes. Subject literature review suggests, that there is a link between short-term exposure to fine dust and the occurrence of arrhythmias. Results of previous studies indicates that this exposure may lead to significant electrophysiological changes in heart, resulting in higher susceptibility to cardiac rhythm abnormalities. In case of stroke, a stronger correlation between number of hospitalizations and death cases and exposure to fine dust was seen for ischaemic stroke than for haemorhhagic stroke. In addition, a significantly more harmful impact of the exposure to ultra particles (particles of aerodynamic diameter below 2,5 μm) has been confirmed. Among important mechanisms responsible for observed health impact of particulate matter there are: induction and intensification of inflammation, increased oxidative stress, increased autonomic nervous system activity, vasoconstriction, rheological changes and endothelial dysfunction. Among people of higher susceptibility to fine dust negative health impact are: elderly (over 65 years old), obese people, patients with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, patients with diabetes and those with coagulation disorders. For further improvement of general health status, actions aimed at reducing the risk associated with fine dust and at the same time at continuing studies to clarify the biological mechanisms explaining the influence of fine dust on human health are necessary.

During physical exercise, the absorbed dose of air pollutants increases. Acute effects of exposure to air pollutants during exercise in healthy young adults remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to assess the acute responses in fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood pressure to air pollution exposure during exercise in young adults with different physical activity levels (low or high). In this study, 76 healthy university students participating in physical activity classes (low level of physical activity) and attending sports training (high level of physical activity) completed two indoor exercise trials when air pollutant concentrations were high (exposure trial) and when the quality of the air was good (control trial). We monitored indoor particulate matter with diameter <10 µm and <2.5 µm (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and outdoor PM₁₀, nitric oxides (NO₂, NO_x, NO), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) concentrations. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO₂)_, and FeNO were measured at baseline and after 45–60 min of physical activity. There were no significant differences between physiological responses to training performed under different exposure conditions in blood pressure, HR, and SpO₂. Significant positive correlations between post-exercise ΔFeNO during exposure trials and ambient air pollutants were found. FeNO increase during the exposure trial was associated with a higher physical activity level and higher outdoor PM₁₀ and NO₂ concentrations. In young and healthy adults, some differences in physiological responses to physical activity between polluted and control environments could be observed. Participants with a high physical activity level were more likely to have an increase in FeNO after exercise in a polluted environment but not after the control exercise trials.

Physical exercise in the presence of ambient air pollution may increase the absorbed dose of air pollutants. The combined effect of such exposure on cardiorespiratory function in young adults remains unclear. To determine the acute cardiorespiratory responses in healthy young adults preforming submaximal physical exercise under exposure to high level winter-type ambient air pollution. Healthy young males (n=30) performed two separate 15-minute submaximal exercise trials on a cycle ergometer - when air pollutants' concentrations were increased (exposure trial) and when air quality was good (control trial). Each time blood pressure, pulse oximetry, spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured at baseline, directly after exercise and after 15-min of rest. High air pollutants concentrations were observed during exposure trials (PM2.5 24.0-157.0 μg/m3, SO2 8.7-85.8 μg/m3). Group-based correlation analysis showed statistically significant negative correlations between post-exercise declines in FEV1/FVC and SO2, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. In individual cases the decrease was recorded only in subjects who exercised under particularly high exposure, and was not related to their BMI, physical activity pattern or allergy status. In multivariate analysis SO2 was a statistically significant predictor of both immediate (OR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.01-1.17) and delayed decrease in airflow (OR: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.01-1.16), and PM2.5 was also a statistically significantly explanatory variable of post-exercise decline in FEV1/FVC (OR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.00-1.06). In young and healthy males exposure to ambient air pollution during short-term submaximal exercise is associated with a decrease in airflow (FEV1/FVC) and the decrease is more apparent when the exercise takes place under particularly high exposure conditions.

Objectives: Despite wide access to gynecological and obstetric advice, informational campaigns, and information online and in magazines aimed at pregnant women, there is a worryingly high percentage of women who still do not use recommended dietary supplementation. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of micronutrient supplementation by pregnant women and to specify the determinants that impact decisions concerning supplementation. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 2016 and May 2017 among a group of pregnant women visiting gynecological and obstetric clinics in the Silesia region, who have completed an authorized questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire addressed the women’s dietary habits, micronutrient supplementation use, as well as their socio-economic status. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 505 pregnant women. Results: Microminerals and vitamins supplementation during pregnancy was declared by 410 (81.2%) women. The most often used supplement was folic acid (62%). More than one-third of pregnant women (38.4%) declared vitamin D intake. Among the recommended supplements, the least commonly used (30.3%) were polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Factors contributing to supplementation use during pregnancy are past history of miscarriage and socioeconomic factors, such as: place of residence, financial situation and level of education. Inhabitants of larger cities, women with better self-perceived financial situations, higher education levels and those presenting past history of miscarriage took the supplements significantly more often. Conclusions: Lower levels of education, low-income financial status and living in rural localities are among the factors correlating with worse adherence to supplementation guidelines. Objectives: Despite wide access to gynecological and obstetric advice, informational campaigns, and information online and in magazines aimed at pregnant women, there is a worryingly high percentage of women who still do not use recommended dietary supplementation. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of micronutrient supplementation by pregnant women and to specify the determinants that impact decisions concerning supplementation. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 2016 and May 2017 among a group of pregnant women visiting gynecological and obstetric clinics in the Silesia region, who have completed an authorized questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire addressed the women’s dietary habits, micronutrient supplementation use, as well as their socio-economic status. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 505 pregnant women. Results: Microminerals and vitamins supplementation during pregnancy was declared by 410 (81.2%) women. The most often used supplement was folic acid (62%). More than one-third of pregnant women (38.4%) declared vitamin D intake. Among the recommended supplements, the least commonly used (30.3%) were polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Factors contributing to supplementation use during pregnancy are past history of miscarriage and socioeconomic factors, such as: place of residence, financial situation and level of education. Inhabitants of larger cities, women with better self-perceived financial situations, higher education levels and those presenting past history of miscarriage took the supplements significantly more often. Conclusions: Lower levels of education, low-income financial status and living in rural localities are among the factors correlating with worse adherence to supplementation guidelines.

Ambient air pollution is a major environmental threat to human health. The acute effects of exposure to ambient air pollution during physical exercise may depend on allergy status. The aim of the study was to assess the acute respiratory responses to air pollution exposure during physical training in young adults with and without allergies. The studied group included 71 healthy young adults (n = 16 with allergy and n = 55 without allergy). Students completed two indoor physical training trials lasting 45–60 min: when air pollutants concentrations were high (exposure trial) and low (control trial). During each trial, we monitored outdoor and indoor environmental conditions. Participants performed spirometry at baseline and directly after the exercise. Exercise during exposure trials led to a small decrease in the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁ ref). Only during the control trials did the FEV₁/forced vital capacity quotient (FEV₁/FVC) statistically significantly increase. Moreover, just in the allergy group, there were statistically significant negative correlations between post-exercise FEV₁/FVC change and 3 h average outdoor particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <10 µm (PM₁₀) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations (PM₁₀: r = −0.54, p = 0.02, NO₂: r = −0.60, p = 0.02). In young and healthy adults, sports training under exposure to high levels of ambient air pollutants leads to a small decrease in FEV₁. The allergy might be a modifying factor in the respiratory responses to air pollution. Post-exercise decrease in FEV₁/FVC was related to pre-exercise 3 h averages of PM₁₀ and NO₂ only in people with ever-diagnosed upper-respiratory allergy.

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is recognized as a biomarker of eosinophilic inflammation. Current literature shows evidence that FeNO is influenced by many factors. Obesity is a chronic inflammatory state. In this study, we considered obesity as a potential factor that influences FeNO levels. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between body mass index (BMI, body mass (kg)/height (m)²) and FeNO levels in a young group of children. Methods: The participants in the study were 506 school-aged children who were randomly selected from primary schools located in Silesian Voivodship (Poland). The modified version of the Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used to assess the respiratory system status of children. FeNO was measured in 447 children according to European Respiratory Society and America Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) recommendations. Body mass and height were measured by a medical body composition analyzer. BMI was defined and interpreted with Palczewska’s percentile charts. Results: In the study group there were 49.9% (n = 223) boys and 50.1% (n = 224) girls. The frequency of normal BMI was 76.8% (n = 172), overweight 13.7% (n = 31) and obesity 9.4% (n = 21) in girls, while the normal BMI was found in 71.3% (n = 159), overweight 11.6% (n = 26) and obesity 17% (n = 38) in boys, the differences not statistically significant (p = 0.05). The mean FeNO value in children with obesity was 16.1 ± 12.5 ppb, in children with normal BMI 15.8 ± 15.5 ppb and the lowest FeNO values were in children with overweight 15.3 ± 13.0 ppb; p = 0.9. The FeNO values after adjusting for age, sex, BMI and symptoms from respiratory system were depended on age and respiratory symptoms only. Conclusions: In 6–9 year old school children, FeNO levels are associated with age and health in relation to the respiratory system. The BMI should not be included when considering reference values for FeNO.