Effect of Ambient Air Pollution on Forced Vital Capacity of Lungs - A Case Study of Jodhpur City

Abstract

The capacities of lungs depend on the age, height, weight, surroundings, work culture, style of living etc. Most important external parameter which has direct impact on physical and mental well being of urban residents worldwide is presence of air pollutants in the surroundings. Air pollutants get entry in the human body through inhalation and affect respiratory system. They interfere with the natural metabolic and other activities of human body. Due to damage of respiratory system various Pulmonary Function Values are reduced. The objective of present study is to co-relate Spirometric abnormalities with duration of exposure and Air Quality Index and to assess the reduction in lung capacity in terms of reduction of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The study is done at various locations of Jodhpur City, India. The study reveals that the 'Forced Vital Capacity' of lungs decrease as the Exposure Duration increases as well as the pollutants concentration increases. The estimated multiple regression equation for Reduction in forced vital capacity (i.e. Index for FVC) is developed as 12 0.053 0.003 0.197 F Y X X = + − . The calculated values of 'yF' give direct indication of damage severity without any medical or Pulmonary Function Test. The values yF will be in between 0 to 1. If the value is more, this means the damage intensity is very high.