The first signs of deteriorating human health in the mining districts of Northern Bohemia were related to an increase in allergies, immunodeficiencies and respiratory illnesses in children. Simultaneously, an increase in birth defects and the rising prevalence of children with low birth weight was observed (Sram et al., 1990 and Sram, 1991); especially striking was the shortening of life expectancy for inhabitants of this region as compared to the rest of the country, especially in males with an increase in mortality rates for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.