Abstract
Background: Modern day life in cities is associated with an enormous increase in vehicular traffic emitting exhausts and polluting the atmosphere. Airborne dust plays a major part in the overall atmospheric pollution and motor vehicle emissions constitute the most significant source of ultra particle in an urban environment. Traffic related air pollution is an occupational health hazard to individuals with a work environment close to traffic. Hawkers who work near areas located in the vicinity of traffic junctions through which maximum number of vehicles passes are more prone to develop health issues pertaining to the respiratory system. The effect of this occupational hazard in this unorganised workforce is not adequately studied. The present study intends to study the effect of air pollution on the pulmonary system in hawkers exposed to automobile exhaust. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by performing pulmonary function tests (PFT) on 20 hawkers who are exposed to automobile exhaust by virtue of their work venue nearer to traffic junctions and comparing them with 20 other age , gender matched and similar anthropometric profile hawkers who work in a rural setting free from vehicular air pollution. PFT by computerized spirometer measuring FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and FEF25-75% were measured. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test (two-tailed, independent) for inter group analysis. Results: On comparison of pulmonary function test in the study and control group was seen that there is decline in dynamic pulmonary function parameters in the study group when compared to controls which is statistically significant. Conclusion: This was a comparative study to demonstrate the effect of air pollution due to automobile exhaust on pulmonary functions of hawkers exposed to a polluted urban environment with a similar group in the rural relatively pollution free environment. PFT by computerized spirometer measuring FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and FEF25-75% were measured. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. It was found that there is a significant decline in various PFT parameters recorded in the study group as compared to the control group.
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