Particulate matter concentration in ambient air and its effects on lung functions among residents in the National Capital Region, India.

The World Health Organization has estimated that air pollution is responsible for 1.4 % of all deaths and 0.8 % of disability-adjusted life years. NOIDA, located at the National Capital Region, India, was declared as one of the critically air-polluted areas by the Central Pollution Control Board of the Government of India. Studies on the relationship of reduction in lung functions of residents living in areas with higher concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air were inconclusive since the subjects of most of the studies are hospital admission cases. Very few studies, including one from India, have shown the relationship of PM concentration and its effects of lung functions in the same location. Hence, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to study the effect of particulate matter concentration in ambient air on the lung functions of residents living in a critically air-polluted area in India. PM concentrations in ambient air (PM(1,) PM(2.5)) were monitored at residential locations and identified locations with higher (NOIDA) and lower concentrations (Gurgaon). Lung function tests (FEV(1), PEFR) were conducted using a spirometer in 757 residents. Both air monitoring and lung function tests were conducted on the same day. Significant negative linear relationship exists between higher concentrations of PM(1) with reduced FEV(1) and increased concentrations of PM(2.5) with reduced PEFR and FEV(1). The study shows that reductions in lung functions (PEFR and FEV(1)) can be attributed to higher particulate matter concentrations in ambient air. Decline in airflow obstruction in subjects exposed to high PM concentrations can be attributed to the fibrogenic response and associated airway wall remodeling. The study suggests the intervention of policy makers and stake holders to take necessary steps to reduce the emissions of PM concentrations, especially PM(1,) PM(2.5), which can lead to serious respiratory health concerns in residents.

Musculoskeletal pain and its associated risk factors in residents of National Capital Region.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal (MS) pain is responsible for poor quality of life and decreased productivity. Objective information about the burden of musculoskeletal disorders among the general community in India is scanty, and the few reports that exist are based on a small sample size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper examines the issue of MS pain and its associated risk factors in a cross-sectional study of 2086 subjects from National Capital Region (NCR). RESULTS: Overall prevalence of MS pain was found to be 25.9%. Pain was found to be more frequent among females (31.3%) as compared with males (20.9%). Significant association of pain in joints/limbs/knee/lower legs with obesity (OR = 2.1, P < 0.001) and high body fat (OR = 2.2, P < 0.001) was established. More than 50% of the subjects complained of backache. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that MS pain is a significant burden of disease among the residents of NCR. Women and subjects doing heavy work load, like agriculture and dairy farming, constitute the chief demographic groups. It is high time that a policy is framed to reduce this load of sickness.

An environmental profile of brick kilns in Lucknow.

Twenty two kilns in Lucknow were studied to identify the environmental hazards posed by the brick kilns and to quantify the environmental degradation which could be attributed to this industry. Study variables comprised SPM and RSPM levels, metal concentrations and total silica content in soil, temperature, humidity and noise levels in the work environment. Information's about the nature and type of kiln, fuel and water sources was also collected. 18.18 per cent of the kilns had moving steel chimneys with less than prescribed height. Approximately 1.89 + 0.87 acre of fertile agricultural land was used for manufacturing of clay brick per kiln, resulting in land degradation decrease in herb density and nutrient disorders in plants/trees in immediate vicinity. SPM level (93.3 mg/m3) was found to be much higher than the prescribed limit. The workers engaged in these kilns were at risk from dust and heat related diseases.

Clinical, biochemical and neurobehavioural studies of workers engaged in the manufacture of quinalphos.

59 workers exposed to different chemicals during the manufacture of quinalphos, an organophosphate pesticide (OP) and 17 control subjects were studied. Despite similar blood acetylcholinestarase (AChE) levels in both the exposed and control subjects, a significant number of exposed subjects had altered plantar and ankle reflexes. Higher nervous functions such as memory, learning and vigilance were also found to be affected in these subjects. These findings were attributed to chronic low dose combined exposure to different chemicals used/formed in the manufacture of quinalphos. The study raises the doubt that monitoring of AChE alone among subjects engaged in the manufacture of OP pesticides may not be an adequate safeguard as regards to their health.

Socio-economic, environmental and health aspects of farm workers engaged in mango plantations.

A cross-sectional survey of 489 male subjects in the age group 15 to 65 years engaged directly or indirectly in mango cultivation along with 208 control subjects was carried out to find their socio-economic, environmental and health conditions. The conditions like high illiteracy rate (49.5%), poverty (PCI less than Rs 100 per month, 52.2%), poor housing (mud houses, 66.7%) unsafe water supply (78.6%) were prevailing in the surveyed population. The high respiratory morbidity may be attributed to high prevalence of smoking and prolonged inhalation of organic dusts during farming operation associated with illiteracy and poor socio-economic status. Gastrointestinal disorders were related to poor hygienic conditions, smoking and consumption of contaminated water. The symptoms pertaining to CNS, skin and eyes were found to be associated with exposure to pesticides.

Chronic effects of hexachlorocyclohexane exposure: clinical, hematologic and electrocardiographic studies.

Twenty-six farm workers handling about 4 kg of commercial grade hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)/y for 2-5 y and 21 control subjects were studied for chronic effects in clinical, hematological and cardiac variables. No clinically apparent morbidity was detected, but changes in hemoglobin and electrocardiograms were early effects of HCH exposure.

Organochlorine pesticide exposure and thyroid function: a study in human subjects.

We examined the serum levels of thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone in 103 rural subjects with respect to blood levels of organochlorine pesticide and occupation. We found that 24.3% of study subjects had depleted thyroxine levels in association with significantly lower organochlorine pesticide residues in blood. Sex, nutritional status, thyromegaly, or handling of pesticides in the course of work were not found to be factors contributing to depleted thyroxine levels.

Socioeconomic and health status of electronics workers employed in organized industry.

To study their socioeconomic and health status, 1,770 workers in the organized electronics industry in India were surveyed. Mean age of the workers employed in this industry was 32.5 +/- 6.01 years. The average per capita income/month was Rupees 333, indicating a higher socioeconomic status, compared with the status of the national population, as well as compared with their counterparts in the unorganized sectors. Respiratory symptoms and impairment rates were significantly higher in workers exposed to soldering fumes. The high prevalence of congested or inflamed throat was also related to chemical exposure specially among solderers and workers exposed to metal oxides. The ocular symptoms and signs were also related to chemical exposure. Musculoskeletal disorders were related to erratic ergonomic postures.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in metal polishers.

To evaluate the long-term effects of metal dusts on the bronchopulmonary system and the synergistic effect of cigarette smoke, a comparative study of spirometric measurements in 104 polishers and 90 unexposed controls was carried out in 25 brass and steelware polishing industries at Moradabad in northern India. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, height, smoking habit and socio-economic status. A total of 58.6% of the polishers had one or more respiratory symptoms, compared to only 25.5% of the controls (P < 0.05). Chronic cough was present in 21 polishers (20.2%) as compared to 11.1% of the controls. However, this difference was insignificant. Chronic phlegm was nearly three times as frequent among the polishers as among the controls (17.5% vs 4.4%) (P < 0.005). The prevalence of dyspnoea of varying grades was also significantly higher (16.3% as opposed to 4.4%) among the exposed groups. Chronic bronchitis (6.7%) and occupational asthma (4.8%) were found to be confined to polishers. The polishers also experienced acute respiratory symptoms during the work shift. The prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms was recorded for cough in 19 workers (44.1%) followed by dyspnoea in 14 workers (32.5%) and throat irritation in 11 workers (25.5%). Comparison of the mean values of pulmonary function parameters in the polishers and the controls showed significant differences in the smoking and non-smoking groups (P < 0.001). The polishers exhibited significantly greater acute reductions in various lung functions over the work shift, particularly for forced expiratory flow over the 25-75% portion of the spirogram (FEF25-75%) FEF25% and FEF50%, than did the controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A survey of chronic bronchitis among brassware workers.

A stratified random sample of 580 workers aged between 18 and 50 years representing each sub-occupation in the brassware industry was studied for the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in relation to occupational and environmental factors. The findings were compared with those obtained in a reference group (N = 131) belonging to similar socio-economic status and unexposed to a dusty environment. Although the exposed group showed higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis in comparison to that observed in the controls (10.5 vs 5.3%), the difference was not significant at the 5% level. It was observed that the workers engaged in non-dusty occupations such as brass sheet cutting and engraving showed the lowest prevalence of the disease (5.0%) while those engaged in the dusty occupations viz., casting, soldering, electroplating and polishing showed the highest prevalence (12.0%). The smoking adjusted odds ratios calculated in various sub-occupations showed the highest risk of developing chronic bronchitis among the polishers (2.74). Though the risk in other occupational sub-groups was double, it did not attain a level of significance. The smoking adjusted odds ratios in relation to length of exposure showed that the risk was significantly higher among the workers exposed for over 10 years compared to those who worked for less than 10 years in the grinding, soldering and brass ingot making operations. The study thus showed a dose-response relationship between length of exposure and chronic bronchitis while effect of age on the disease was not discernible probably due to the small number of cases and the young age of the study group. The concentration of various metals in the air samples drawn from the work environment where main processes were in operation, was low compared to the prescribed level by ACGIH.

Long-term effects of soldering fumes upon respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function.

To evaluate the long-term effect of soldering gases and fumes, and of cigarette smoke on lung function, and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, a comparative study of spirometric measurements in 57 solderers engaged in acetylene gas soldering of brassware joints in the brass industry (mean exposure: 12.4 +/- 1.1 years) and in 131 controls was performed. The two groups were similar in age, height, smoking habits and social class. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the solderers did not differ significantly from that in the unexposed controls (59.6 vs 56.4%). However, solderers who smoked showed higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than those who did not smoke; a similar trend was observed in the controls. The study failed to demonstrate any association between the respiratory symptoms and length of exposure. The respiratory status of the solderers was unaffected as the results of spirometric measurements of lung function did not show any significant differences between the exposed and the control groups, indicating the absence of an additive effect of cigarette smoking and exposure to soldering fumes.

An investigation of environmental impact on health of workers at retail petrol pumps.

Ninety-four male pump workers, employed in 41 petrol filling stations in Kanpur (formerly Cawnpore) and Lucknow--both in the Ganges plain of north India--were clinically examined. Headache, redness in eyes, lacrimation and signs like coated and/or furred tongue, throat and/or conjunctival congestion and carious teeth were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in workers exposed to petrol fumes than in controls, as also was the level of phenol in urine (P less than 0.01). Environmental measurements revealed higher concentrations of benzene, sulphur dioxide and photoionizable dust in the air at petrol stations, and most of the symptoms and signs could be attributed to petrol fumes and other environmental pollution.

A study of respiratory morbidity and pulmonary function among solderers in the electronics industry.

Pulmonary function assessment of 197 solderers engaged in soldering printed circuit boards and other electronic components using lead-tin alloy impregnated solder in five major electronics workplaces in India was compared with the findings observed in 143 unexposed controls. Spirometry showed a significant impairment in the values of vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) percent ratio in 47.2% of the solderers in comparison to 1.3% in the reference group (p less than 0.001). In the exposed group, female solderers particularly showed significantly higher (55.0%) prevalence of overall respiratory impairment in comparison to the 32.3% observed in their male counterparts (p less than 0.001). Bronchial obstruction was recorded in 7.6% of the solderers compared with 1.3% of the unexposed controls (p less than 0.01). The prevalence of restrictive and mixed ventilatory impairment was found to be 28.9 and 10.6%, respectively, among the exposed workers, while there was none among the control group. The solderers showed a predominantly restrictive pattern of pulmonary impairment that was mild in nature. Smoking caused no significant effect on the pulmonary impairment among the exposed workers. The study also did not show any significant differences in the prevalence of respiratory impairment between solderers exposed either less or more than 10 yr, thereby suggesting that there was no link between the respiratory impairment and duration of exposure. The industrial hygiene study conducted in the assembly section where soldering was done showed the mean concentration of lead to be 0.40 micrograms/m3 (range 0.12-0.43 micrograms/m3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A cross-sectional study of pulmonary function among workers exposed to multimetals in the glass bangle industry.

Spirometric lung functions were evaluated in 220 asymptomatic glass bangle workers exposed to the salts of various heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, and selenium, which are used as coloring agents in the manufacture of glass bangles. The mean values of various spirometric variables (viz. FVC, FEV1, IMBC, and PEFR) were within normal range (more than 80% of the predicted values) in both smoking and nonsmoking glass bangle workers and did not reveal any significant differences in comparison with those observed in the unexposed controls. However, variables such as FEV1/FVC% ratio, FEF25-75 and FEF75-85 were reduced significantly (p less than 0.001) in the exposed group. The reduction was more marked in the smoking glass bangle workers indicating additive effect of cigarette smoking on the small airways. The exposed group showed a significantly higher prevalence (16.3%) of respiratory impairment in comparison to that observed in the controls (7.9%) as a result of exposure to various metals in the work environment (p less than 0.01). The respiratory impairment observed in the exposed group indicated primarily restrictive pattern of pulmonary abnormality (10.4%), while the controls revealed only 1.1% prevalence of this disease (p less than 0.001). The effect of the duration of exposure on the prevalence of respiratory impairment in the glass bangle industry revealed significantly higher prevalence (p less than 0.05) in those who worked for more than 10 years (23.0%) than in those who worked for less than 10 years (10.8%) thereby indicating that the duration of exposure is directly related to the prevalence of respiratory impairment.

Surfactant-induced fluorescence changes in fluorescein dye.

Synopsis Addition of non-ionic surfactants revealed changes in the visible absorbance and fluorescence characteristics of fluorescein dyes. Non-ionic surfactants induced a shift in Delta(max), towards shorter wavelengths along with a decrease in absorbance of the dye. On the other hand, addition of anionic surfactants induced a shift of Delta(max), towards longer wavelengths along with enhancement in absorbance and fluorescence. The absorbance value decreased initially, but increased on further addition of cationic surfactant, whereas fluorescence increased initially but decreased on further addition of cationic surfactant. These changes are attributed to the interaction of surfactant micelle with dye molecules, resulting in change of the coloured quinoid form to the colourless lactone form and vice versa.