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Suggested aetiological factors were evaluated in 244 consecutive children presenting with lower respiratory disease at Marondera Hospital, Zimbabwe. Data obtained from these children were compared with information obtained from 500 children seen at the local well baby clinic. There were no differences in the prevalence of malnutrition, breast feeding, overcrowding, poor housing conditions and poverty in these two groups of children. A significant association was identified between lower respiratory disease and exposure to atmospheric woodsmoke pollution in young children. Air sampling within the kitchens of 40 children revealed levels of atmospheric pollution far in excess of the WHO recommended exposure limit1. Elevated carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations confirmed childhood smoke inhalation. We suggest that in many Third World communities a chemical pneumonitis resulting from the inhalation of noxious constituents of woodsmoke predisposes to lower respiratory disease in children.

Lepidopterous stem borers constitute one of the major constraints to cereal crop production in southern Africa. Chilo partellusSwinhoe, is an economically important stem borer of maize and sorghum. Current research status on C. partellusis reviewed and substantial advances in the distribution, bioecology and control strategies are discussed. Present work on the assessment of crop losses, elucidation of mechanisms of resistance, development of resistant crop cultivare, feasibility of biological control measures and the implementation of other stem borer management methods are reported. Further areas of research into the management of C. partellusare identified. Les lepidopteres terebrante de la tige constituent l’une des contraintes principales en ce quinoncerne la production cerealiere en Afrique australe. Chilo partellusSwinhoe est un insecte terebrant d’importance economique s’attaquant au mais et au sorgho. L’etat de lar recherche actuelle sur C. partellusest en cours d’examen et l’on discute actuellement des progres substantiels de lutte. On fait etat travaux en cours sur l’evaluation des pertes au niveau des cultures, la comprehension des mecanismes de resitance, la mise au point de cultivars restants, la faisabilite methodes de controle biologique et la mise en oeuvre d’autres methodes de gestion de cet insecte. On est en cours d’identifiction d’autres domaines de recherche sur la gestion du C. partellus.

Vehicle emissions where Pb containing gasoline is used contributes to toxic metal urban air pollution and is still a matter of concern. An assessment of the extent of roadside Pb pollution in Harare (Zimbabwe) was undertaken. Pb was measured in soil and vegetation roadside samples. For busy roads Pb levels in soil and vegetation indicated a significant level of Pb pollution in the environment nearby the road. The Pb levels at the kerb of busy roads (Simon Mazorodze Road) were 1480 and 23.3 μg.g-1 in soil and vegetation, respectively, and the levels found for less busy roads (Mutare Road) were 404 and 8.0 μg.g-1 in soil and vegetation samples respectively. The gradual phasing out of the level of Pb in leaded gasoline is suggested.