Oxidative stress and anti-oxidative defense in schoolchildren residing in a petrochemical industry environment.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the possible relationship between industrial air pollution and oxidative stress in schoolchildren by comparing parameters from children residing in two nearby localities with contrasting environmental conditions. PARTICIPANTS 42 schoolchildren (12-15 years) from Pancevo (site of Serbias largest petrochemical installation) formed the exposed group. 82 schoolchildren from Kovacica village, located 30 km north of Pancevo, formed the non-exposed group. METHODS Oxidative stress status, anti-oxidative defense parameters, paraoxonase-1 status, lipid status, glucose concentration and leukocyte counts were compared in two groups. RESULTS The children from Pancevo showed higher level of oxidative stress demonstrated by an elevated malondialdehyde concentration (P <0.001) and decreased superoxide dismutase activity (P<0.01) in comparison to the non-exposed group. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested a relationship between the presence of air pollutants and increased oxidative stress in schoolchildren residing in an industrial environment.