A Clinico-epidemiological Investigations of Bronchial Asthma in Yokkaichi

The prevalence of respiratory diseases, and bronchial asthma in particular has increased in Yokkaichi with the worsening in air pollution during the period of 1961 to 1962.A Public Relief System was established in 1965 in order to assist sufferers.It was revised in 1973 based on laws to deal with Compensation for Victims of Environmental Pollution.The fiscal year 1980 was the year in which pollution victims were to be re-examined.The results of medical examinations of 488 bronchial asthma victims in the Yokkaichi area were examined and the following results were obtained:1) The onset of asthma coincided with periods when there was marked air pollution in Yokkaichi.2) Asthma due to allergic reactions was found in most younger victims age group (under 39 years old) and infectious asthma in many older victims (over 40 years old).3) Asthma caused by environmental pollution is characteristic of advanced age and is often complicated by clinical symptoms such as chronic cough and the discharge of sputum.A low percentage have eosinophilia and low show positive intradermal reactions to house dust.4) According to auscultation and lung function tests, symptoms appeared to be reversible in many of younger cases, but attacks were repeated or symptoms indicated permanent damage in most of the advanced age group.