Impact of Automobile Emission on Pulmonary Function Parameters of Non-Smoking Road Side Vendors and Shopkeepers

Abstract

Background: Airborne dust plays a major part in the overall atmospheric pollution and motor vehicle emissions constitute the most significant source of ultra particle in urban environment. Traffic related air pollution is an occupational health hazard to individuals who work close to traffic. Objectives: To assess the impact of dust and traffic related air pollution on pulmonary functions of the exposed, non-smoking road side shopkeepers at busy traffic congested areas and to compare with age and sex matched non-smoking shop keepers from residential localities. Materials & Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 healthy adults aged 20-40years. 30 shopkeepers exposed to dust and traffic pollution residing nearer to busy road-crossings of Vijayapura city. Control group is 30 age and sex matched non-smoking, non-exposed healthy subjects who are working in shops away from the road traffic pollution. Anthropometric parameters, Physiological Parameters, Pulmonary function test were recorded in both control and subjects using standard techniques. Statistical analysis is done using SPSS. Results: We observed a significant reduction of FVC [subjects-2.63+0.40,control- 2.63+0.40,(p=0.03)] and FEV1 [subjects-2.47+0.59,control- 1.75+0.42,(p=0.000)] and an insignificant reduction of PEFR [subjects- 506.00+34.07,control-488.66+27.89,(p=0.610)] among the road side shopkeepers. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate the possibility of impaired lung function or obstructive lung disorders among the shopkeepers exposed to higher traffic pollution.