Immunologic and other biological parameters as a function of smoking status and of residence in areas differing in terms of air pollution

In the industrial region of La Louviere (Belgium), healthy persons, presenting at a consultation of preventive medicine, showed differences as a function of smoking and of residence in one of four areas differing in sources of emissions, population density and green zones. Smokers had significantly (Pless than or equal to0.05) more leukocytes mul(-1), neutrophils mul(-1), CD3+ lymphocytes (lys) mul(-1), CD4+ lys mul(-1), CD25+ lys mul(-1), higher CD4/CD8 ratio's and higher carcino-embryonic antigen serum levels but significantly lower IgG immunoglobulin and serum carotene levels than non-smokers. Compared to persons living in the 'Peripheral area', and after correction for sex, smoking status and age, persons living in the more polluted areas showed significantly more CD3+CD56+ lys mul(-1). Although about the same mean value for the CD4/CD8 ratio was found for the more polluted areas, a higher percentage of their residents showed a ratio that was either <1 or &GE;2.25, significantly so for the Power Station-Landfill area. A non-significant but consistent trend towards higher lymphocyte and CD8 lys counts and higher complement C3c serum levels further suggested an association between residence in a more polluted area and immunologic features. The number of CD3+CD56+ lys μl(-1), reported to be increased in cancer patients, showed a negative correlation with the CD4/CD8 ratio (r(2) =0.132, P<0.0001)