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M Pitz

Publications and source records attributed to M Pitz.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Evaluation of a sampling strategy for estimation of long-term PM2.5 exposure for epidemiological studies.

As part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) PM2.5 (particles collected with an upper 50% cut point of 2.5 microm aerodynamic diameter) was measured using an EPA-WINS (Environmental Protection Agency Well Impactor Ninety-six) sampler. The monitoring schedule was restricted to 7 days per month for one year. Simultaneously, during this one year study period a collocated Harvard Impactor (HI) was run on a daily basis in Erfurt, Germany. Here we validated the reliability of annual, seasonal and monthly means estimated using the ECRHS scheme (measurements taken less than 25% of the whole study period) with the 'true' long-term averages, which were estimated using all available daily means. The daily PM2.5 means, obtained by both instruments operated in parallel, were only slightly different (the mean difference between EPA-WINS and HI was 1.8 microg m(-3) and 2.8 microg m(-3) for the winter means). The values obtained by the two instruments were highly correlated (r = 0.95). In view of that negligible difference, no additional bias was seen with respect to the annual and the winter means estimated by the two different sampling strategies (the difference was 1.7 microg m(-3) and 2.7 microg m(-3), respectively). Monthly means, however, can only be considered to be a crude estimate that may substantially under- or overestimate the true monthly mean value.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

[Environmental surveys in the areas of Bitterfeld, Hettstedt and a comparative area in 1992-2000].

The aim of the environmental epidemiological study was to determine possible adverse effects on the health of children in the environmentally polluted areas of Bitterfeld and Hettstedt compared to the less polluted area of Zerbst (Eastern Germany). The changes of the health parameters were recorded together with the environmental changes during the time period of 6 years. The study design consisted of three repeated regional cross-sectional studies in 1992/93, 1995/96 and 1998/99. In total, 7,611 questionnaires could be analysed (participation rate: 89%, 75% and 75%). Children living in the most polluted area of Hettstedt had a noticeable higher risk for non-allergic respiratory diseases and symptoms compared to children living in the control area of Zerbst. From 1992 to 1999 a statistically significant decrease in the prevalences of these health outcomes was found. Children without indoor pollutants in their homes had the greatest benefit by the improvement of ambient air quality. The increase in lung function (FVC, FEV1) also underlines the improvement of the respiratory health. Children living in the polluted areas reported allergies more often (physician's diagnosis, allergy specific antibodies). The prevalence of asthma, the bronchial hyperreactivity and atopic eczema was increased within the observational period of 6 years. An increased prevalence was also shown for more severe allergic sensitisation (RAST classes > 17.5 kU/l), while the prevalence of hay fever increased slightly on a non-significant level. The burden with lead and cadmium was higher in children living in polluted areas and decreased during the study period except for 1997 where the lead concentration in blood increased according to the higher lead concentration in settled dust in Hettstedt at that time.

Adolescent↗