Krystyna Slodczyk
ul. J. Bytnara-Rudego 14D/6
45-256 Opole
POLAND
TEL: 48-77/26041
FAX: 48-77/26080
There are 27 regions of extreme environmental degradation in Poland. One is in Opole in Silesia. Advancing environmental degradation endangers human health and causes genetic code mutations. In 1990, cancer mortality rates rose to 18.9 per 10,000; twide the rate of 1960. In the same period, mortality due to circulatory disease increased five times, to 51.0.
Mortality rates differ for women and men. Comparing them in most and in not degraded voivodships (regional districts), shows an increase rate in younger groups of women than in men. At ages 15-24, women exhibit a mortality rate increase in degraded areas of 4.6 percent; ages 25-44, 11.3 percent; 46-65, 21.3 percent. Men show an increase in the 24-44 year cohort, 3.8 percent. This suggests both higher sensitivity overall in women to environmental pollution and at earlier life stages, probably in response to body organ development.
Even though the environment is considered valuable, knowledge about it is superficial. People realize the dangers of industry but have limited knowledge of other dangers. Women's environmental activism in Opole is critical. They form the main force in the new ecological clubs (Eco-engineering Club, Environmental Protection Club). They also form 95 percent of the students in the environmental engineering department at the Opole Technical University.
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