[Determination of the phagocytosis of granulocytes by the measurement of chemiluminescence].

During two successive years the phagocytic capacity of the granulocytes of 800 children from areas with environmental pollution and with clean air was examined and compared. To this end, the luminol chemiluminescence during phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan was measured in whole blood. In all areas the phagocytic activity of the granulocytes of boys was higher than that of girls. In area with environmental pollution it was higher than in clean-air areas. The cells disposition towards phagocytosis was lower in clean-air areas than in areas with an environmental burden. Boys showed a more rapid increase in phagocytosis than girls. Between both years of examination distinct differences were observed in the level of chemiluminescence. The phagocytic defense systems of children who grew up in areas rated as having an environmental burden, showed a distinct change in activity as opposed to that of children from so-called clean-air areas. It could be proved that the phagocytic defense system of clinically healthy children reacts to environmental irritants with a change of its activity state.