PP-30-005 Background/Aims: We studied 2 aluminum-producing plants located in the cities of Kamensk-Uralsky and Krasnoturinsk (Middle Urals), emitting pollutants that lead to multicomponent environmental contamination. The change from Soderberg to prebaked anodes implemented early this century for some of the electrolyzers in Kamensk-Uralsky has allowed total atmospheric emissions to be reduced 3.5 times. The purpose of our study was to compare the levels of ambient air pollution and the health status of children exposed to such pollution in these towns. Methods: We studied ambient air pollution with particulates, fluorides, benzo(a)pyrene, aluminum, alkali, and nitrogen dioxide during the warm and cold seasons of 2004 at a distance of up to 3 kilometers from the aluminum plants. Information on the health status of children aged 3–7 dwelling in the same areas was obtained from official child development histories over 2003–2006. The association of health with ambient air pollution was analyzed using linear multiple regression models. Results: The maximum daily average concentrations in Krasnoturinsk and Kamensk-Uralsky were (in mg/m3) respectively 0.0295–0.0666 and 0.012–0.041 for HF, 0.0451–0.1043 and 0.02–0.06 for low soluble fluorides, 0.0000201–0.0000438 and 0.000005–0.000018 for benzo(a)pyrene, 0.0216–0.0477 and 0.009–0.014 for NaOH, and only for daily average concentrations of particulate matter 10 (35.8, standard error 16.4 μ/m3 and 45.4, standard error 21.75 μ/m3). The difference had an opposite sign being statistically nonsignificant. The incidence of acute illness in children was higher in Krasnoturinsk than in Kamensk-Uralsky, due, mainly, to respiratory diseases: 1080.3%–1192.9% and 833.7%–887.0%, respectively. Acute respiratory disease was associated with concentrations of HF (β = 106715.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 38597.6–174832.5) and TSP (β = 776.14, 95% CI: 569.3–982.9), whereas chronic respiratory disease with particulate matter 10 (β = 6360.90, 95% CI: 2247.9–10473.8). Conclusion: Industrial emissions from aluminum electrolysis plants contaminate the environment of adjoining residential areas (particularly where the use of Soderberg anodes continues) demonstrating association with considerable impairment to children's health.