Stefan Kozłowski

Abstract

As a result of commmunist policy of central planning in the period following the second world war a number of areas in Poland became environmentally conta-minated. In 1980 there were 27 ecologically endangered areas inhabited by 1/3 of Poland's population. Currently, it is estimated that 4 million people are living in endangered zones, mainly in Upper Silesia, to the detriment of their health and lorgevity. The dangers are very serious, as they are referred to damages to the genetic code amongst children. The effects of this damage include a number of health problems and the slowing down of the psychological development of children. The number of children requiring psychiatric treatment is growing.In Poland, as in many other countries we are witnessing the reduction in the length of ife-expectancy, especially amongst men. This, amongst other reasons, is why the Po.ish Parliament, in 1991, decided to adopt national policy for environmental protection. As a result environmental protection legislation is being amended, environ-mental economic management is being reformed, and a preventative programme of health caie combatting heart diseases is being implemented. These activities constitute a response to the resolutions of the Global Action Programme — Agenda 21, adopted in Ric de Janeiro in 1992.

Keywords: Areas of ecological hazard, genetic code defects, ecological stress, eco-development

Stefan Kozłowski, Ecological Council under the auspices of the President of Poland, Committee "Man and Environment", Polish Academy of Sciences ul. Wiejska 10, 00-489 Warszawa, Poland