AVERNESS OF POLISH PULMONOLOGISTS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON HEALTH

Air pollution causes exacerbation of respiratory diseases. The air quality in Poland is the worst in Europe. Each year over 48,000 people die prematurely in Poland due to ambient PM2.5 air pollution. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness of Polish pulmonologists about the impact of air pollution on health, the sources of their knowledge and how this knowledge is used in clinical practice. The study was based on a voluntary and anonymous questionnaire created for pulmonologists. The study included 252 pulmonologists (37% of participated in Congress Polish Respiratory Society). There were 32% men and 68% women aged 28-72 years. Only 19% of physicians think that their knowledge on the impact of air pollution on health is sufficient, however only in 1% they were right. The main source of this knowledge were the internet and medical press, however they prefer scientific conferences. Only 13% of pulmonologists know what air pollution concentrations are acceptable. Twenty seven percent of pulmonologists follow the levels of air pollution in their region, and 11% of doctors inform their patients about exceeded air pollution permissible limits. The majority of pulmonologists (69%) do not know what are the main air pollutants in their city. Only 41% pulmonologists know what diseases are caused by air pollution. The knowledge of pulmonologists on the impact of air pollution on health is not sufficient and they need professional education in this area.