Abstract
Motor vehicular exhaust is threatening to human health in Dhaka city. To find out the extent of respiratory problem among a particular cadre of transport workers, the human hauler helpers (HHH) of Dhaka city, we conducted a cross sectional study from March 2006 to June 2006. We enrolled 108 HHH from Mirpur to Mohakhali and Gabtoli to Mohakhali routes and collected data using a pre tested questionnaire including interview and physical examination. The pulmonary functions of the participants were measured with electronic spirometer. Among the participants with current respiratory problems 69% complained of gradual increase in respiratory problems and 38% gave history of feeling better on weekly holidays. Occurrence of hoarseness of voice (90%) and wheeze (71%) was extremely high among the helpers followed by cough (50%) and nasal irritation (50%). Spirometry showed 41.7% had obstructive and 4.6% had combined features of pulmonary impairment. Logistic regression analysis showed that respondents who worked 24 months or more were 6.9 times more likely to develop respiratory problem than the less exposed group (OR 6.9; 95% CI 3.42, 8.41). This study provides new information on respiratory health of a specific group of transport workers in Dhaka city which warrants further evaluation with a representing sample covering other areas of Dhaka city among all transport workers.
Highlights
Respiratory diseases among the city dwellers are a common problem throughout the world [1]
Initial estimate reveals that motor vehicles of Dhaka city annually emit 3700 tons of particulate matters, 8550 tons of nitrogen gases and 50,700 tons of carbon di-oxide [5] which is much higher than the acceptable level [4]
All helpers of human haulers of Dhaka city, who had worked in this position for at least 6 months, were our study population
Summary
Respiratory diseases among the city dwellers are a common problem throughout the world [1]. The capital of Bangladesh is one of the most populous cities of the world [3]. Respiratory problem following air pollution in Dhaka is serious due to increasing population and associated motorization [4]. One of the main reasons of respiratory problems in Dhaka is the smoke emitted from the automobiles [5]. Initial estimate reveals that motor vehicles of Dhaka city annually emit 3700 tons of particulate matters, 8550 tons of nitrogen gases and 50,700 tons of carbon di-oxide [5] which is much higher than the acceptable level [4]
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