Effect of environment on the functional state of adolescents

Adolescents of both sexes 14–15 years of age residing under different environmental conditions have been examined. The group exposed to atmospheric pollution with sulfur-containing substances from a pulp-and-paper mill, as compared with the control (residing in a relatively “clean” area), is characterized by lower tolerance to hypoxemia, reserves of the cardiorespiratory system, core body temperature, level of physical health, concentrations of nitrogen oxide metabolites in the blood, and antioxidant vitamin supply. In addition, this group shows a tendency towards hypertension and worsening of hemodynamic regulation.