title: [Ecological monitoring of population mortality in Kaunas micro-districts, 1992-1997].
abstract: In Lithuania, the mortality rate is constantly increasing. However, regional differences of mortality rates in a large industrial town were unexplored. The study was carried out in Kaunas, second biggest town of Lithuania with a well-developed industry, as well as high atmospheric air pollution. Harmful effects of the regional environmental complex (dustiness, carbon monoxide, sulfur and nitrogen dioxides) were evaluated by summarized pollution index. Causes of death were taken from certificates of death for 1992-1997. In the study, the 9th revision of International Classification of Diseases and the European age standard were used. Mortality was studied in three microdistricts with threefold differences in levels of air pollution. The age-adjusted death rate (SMR) from all causes in a relatively clean microdistrict--D3 (SMR = 1720.5 +/- 60.4) is higher than the same indicator of microdistricts with developed industry--D1 (SMR = 1446.5 +/- 102.1) or heavy traffic--D2 (SMR = 1402.7 +/- 86.2). In terms of cause-specific mortalities, there is a prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. The SMR from circulatory system disorders (ICD-9 390-459) in D3 is equal 562 +/- 56.1, compared to D2--509.7 +/- 63.9 and D1--479.7 +/- 79.2. Neoplasms (ICD-9 140-239) are ranked second in the list of causes of deaths. They account for 244.8 +/- 32.0 per 100,000 population in D3, 184.4 +/- 40.8 in D2 and 221.1 +/- 47.6 in D1, respectively. The overall mortality of the population did not relate to the levels of outdoor pollution. Circulatory disorders and neoplasms are the main cause of death. In a polluted micro district risk of death for a young person is higher, irrespective of accidents, injuries and poisonings.
authors.affiliation: Kauno medicinos universiteto Biomedicininiu tyrimu institutas, Lietuvos sveikatos informacijos centras. ekos@kmu.lt
authors.forename: Juozas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dudzevicius
authors.forename: Aldona
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaizauskiene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors