US EPA

1357025 

Journal Article 

Abstract 

Neurobehavioral performance of Czech school children born in years of maximal air pollution (1982-1983) 

Otto, D; Skalik, I; Bahboh, R; Hudnell, K; Sram, R 

1997 

1 

NeuroToxicology
ISSN: 0161-813X
EISSN: 1872-9711 

DART/TER/97001469 

18 

3 

903 

eng 

Ambient levels of SO2, NOx, PAHs and heavy metals are elevated in Northern Bohemia as a result of intensive mining and combustion of brown coal. SO2 levels, a general measure of air pollution, were highest in 1982 and 1983. Sram (1991) hypothecized that in utero exposure to chemicals causes functional changes in the nervous system expressed as developmental disorders or behavioral impairments. To test this hypothesis, tests from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES2) were administered to 519 7th-grade children from three districts with varying levels of air pollution. Questionnaires were administered to parents and teachers to assess SES, neonatal health history and school performance. Hair and urine samples were also obtained from children to measure arsenic and mercury exposure. Children from Teplice, the heavily polluted mining district, performed more poorly and were referred more often for assessment of learning disorders than children from Prachatice--an agricultural district-- or Znojmo--a district where natural gas is used for heating and power generation. Digit span and symbol-digit scores also varied significantly with hair As and Hg levels. DISCLAIMER: This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.