An assessment of Risk Factors and Health Impacts Associated with Indoor Air Pollution and Tobacco Smoke in Lahore, Pakistan.

Abstract

Exposure to indoor air pollution and tobacco smoke has given rise to different risk factors and adverse health outcomes throughout the world especially in developing counties such as Pakistan. This study aimed to analyze the exposure of people of Lahore to secondhand smoke and indoor air pollutants to determine the risk factors along with the health impacts. An online questionnaire survey with a sample size of 208 was conducted in Lahore. The questionnaire consisted of 60 questions and was divided into five sections dealing with the respondent’s profile, exposure to indoor air pollution and tobacco smoke, and health impacts. The results showed that out of 208 individuals, 33.2% of individuals rated their Indoor Air Quality as fine. While 30.8%, 8.2%, and 2.9% of individuals rated IAQ as good, bad, and poor, respectively. The percentage of non-smokers and active smokers was 90.1% and 9.1%. 50% of individuals considered headaches as the symptom of a major health concern due to exposure to IAP. 38% of individuals suffered from headaches while, 22.6%, 21.2%, 16.8%, and 15.9% of individuals suffered from coughing, sneezing, eye irritation, and runny nose because of exposure to IAP, respectively. There is a strong association between health impacts and exposure to indoor air pollution and tobacco smoke. Therefore, public awareness and proper mitigatory measures can play a role to prevent such risk factors and health impacts caused by IAP and tobacco smoke.