Abstract
Demand for electricity generation increasing gradually with the advancing of civilization. InIndia 75% of the total power obtained is from coal-based thermal power plant. In India ash content in the coal used for power generation is 30-40%.Thus power generation from coal results in emission of a variety of pollutants including fly ash. Annually 65 million tons of fly ash is generated as waste product in India and causes serious air pollution. Children are more susceptible to it. Therefore this study was planned to assess the pulmonary health status of primary school children aged 6-9 years living in the vicinity of thermal power plant. Subjects were divided into two groups: control (living within 5km radius from power plant) and control (living more than 25km away from power plant) group. Anthropometric parameters such as height and weight were measured and body mass index and body surface area were derived. The lung function parameters studied were FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FIVC, FIV1, PIF, FEF25-75% and mid vital capacity. Pulmonary function test indicates that living within vicinity of a coal-fired thermal power plant can result in significant reduction of all pulmonary function indices. Percentagedecrease of inspiratory parameters (FIVC, FIV1, FIF50 and PIF) was more than expiratory parameters. PEF and PIF which are more dependent upon air ways are very much reduced, because the effects of the pollutants are more on bronchial tree. Ratio of mid vital capacity was comparatively higher than control counterpart which indicates variable type extra thoracic air way obstruction. Spirometric findings suggest that living within vicinity of a coal-fired thermal power plant can result in obstructive lung disease both in extrathorasic and bronchial tree. So children reside within the vicinity of coal-fired thermal power plant should undergo immediate lung function test to detect their pulmonary health status so that proper preventing measures or treatment is possible
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
