Exposure to Automobile Exhaust

The prevalence of chronic, nonspecific respiratory disease was assessed using a modified version of the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) respiratory disease questionnaire in a population of 268 policemen exposed to a spectrum of levels of automobile exhaust as traffic officers, patrol car officers, and indoor clerical officers. There were 99 men (36.9%) who fulfilled the usual criteria used with the MRC questionnaire for the diagnosis of disease. Data are presented to show that the men represent comparable groups and that smoking, and to a lesser extent traffic exposure, are associated factors in the development of disease. A summary of the environmental data is presented to indicate the kinds of exposure these men experience. Annual medical assessment and seasonal environmental assessments are planned to permit prospective evaluation of the effects of chronic exposure to automobile exhaust.