Epidemiology of Selected Diseases Related to Air Pollution in Krakow

Excessive concentrations of smog toxicants constitute a critical factor influencing the health quality of inhabitants of urban agglomerations. The exposure to elevated concentrations of suspended particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) is associated with an increase of adverse health effects. Prolonged exposure to air pollution, especially from low emission, may be linked not only to a greater risk of developing cancer of the respiratory system, or cardiovascular morbidity but also to the increased frequency of admissions to hospitals and emergency units as well as medical consultations in surgeries and outpatient clinics. The issue was investigated using the city of Cracow as an example. Attempts were made to find the connection between air pollution in the city of Cracow and the frequency of hospitalization and medical consultations of patients (registered in the city) due to lung and bronchial malignancy and cardiac dysrhythmia taking into account the data from the years 2010-2016 submitted by the Malopolska Regional Branch of the National Health Fund.