Kanpur City Research Articles

Fluorine content in water and prevalence of fluorosis in Kanpur city

Fluorides are the 13th commonest element in the earth's crust. Water is the major source which contains fluoride in varying quantities. Recommended optimum level of fluoride for drinking water is 0.7 to 1.2 ppm. Fluorosis is a disease caused by deposition of fluorides in the hard and soft tissues of the body. The present study was conducted in rural and urban areas of district Kanpur. School children aged 10–12 years were observed clinically to assess the prevalence of fluorosis. The mean fluoride level in water was 1.59 ppm in rural area and 1.21 ppm in urban area of Kanpur. The prevalence of fluorosis was more in rural area (14.2%) as compared to urban area (6.2%). Majority of the respondents were having very mild form of fluorosis. Community Fluorosis Index (CFI) calculated was 0.27. No association was found between problem of dental fluorosis and dental caries.

Oral health status of battery factory workers in Kanpur city: A cross-sectional study

Background: The oral cavity is vulnerable to external agents and some occupational exposures are associated with oral changes in both hard and soft tissues. Objectives: To assess oral health status in battery factory workers of Kanpur city and to describe the prevalence and nature of oral health problems among workers. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 battery workers were enrolled and divided into study and control groups based on acid exposure. The data was recorded on a modified World Health Organization 1997 proforma. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15.0. The categorical variables were compared using Chi-square test for proportions while the quantitative ordinal variables were compared using Mann-Whitney U-test. Quantitative continuous variables were compared using Independent samples t-test. Results: The mean age of all the workers surveyed was 36.24 years. Differences in the erosion, oral hygiene and gingival index scores among the two groups were highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Oral health status was poor and significantly associated with dental erosion.

Modulatory Effect of Tannery Effluents on Physicochemical Quality of River Water

Effluents are main source of direct and often continuous input of pollutants in to aquatic ecosystem with long term implications on ecosystem functioning. In present study, an investigation has been made to ascertain the effect of tannery effluents (untreated and treated) on quality Ganga river water near Jajmau area at Kanpur city, India. The effluents were mixed with Ganga river water at concentration of 5%, 15%, 25%, 50% and 75% v/v and analyzed for physicochemical parameters like pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in laboratory condition. The results of the study indicate that incorporation of tanneries effluents make highly adverse effect on river Ganga. So the result obtained shows that tannery wastewater is added continuously in river water, few years from now, serious water quality deterioration could take place, which will serious threat to aquatic and human life. Keyword: Tannery effluents, River water, Modulatory effect

Spatial Distribution of Shear Wave Velocity for Late Quaternary Alluvial Soil of Kanpur City, Northern India

Empirical correlation between standard penetration resistance (SPT-N) and shear wave velocity measured by seismic downhole techniques are prepared of the alluvial soil of quaternary age for the Kanpur city. The Kanpur city is having seismic threat from Himalaya and it falls in seismic zone III according to seismic zones of India. Standard penetration test as well seismic downhole test has been carried out up to 30 m at twelve different locations of Kanpur city. The measured SPT-N values and shear wave velocity values are used to develop empirical correlation between SPT-N and shear wave velocity. The proposed correlations have been compared with the existing regression equations by various other investigators. It is found that the proposed correlation exhibit good performance (10 % error bar). Also the measured shear wave velocity has been used to prepare spatially distributed contour map of 50, 75 and 100 m/s using ArcGIS-9 software. It is observed that the shear wave velocity values for the northern part of Kanpur city vary from 125 to 825 m/s. In southern part, it is varying from 125 to 500 m/s where as in the central part of the city the shear wave velocity varies from 125 to 375 m/s. The eastern part of the city also shows some variation in shear wave velocity which ranges from 250 to 625 m/s. The western part of the city shows the variation of shear wave velocity from ≤125 to 500 m/s. The soil type of the study area are classified as per NEHRP and new Italian O.P.M.C classification system as B, C and D type soil with having site period of 0.1–0.9 s and Poisson’s ratio varying from 0.1 to 0.4.

Career Preferences among Degree College Adolescents in Kanpur City

Present study was conducted in Kanpur city on 300 adolescents (137 boys and 163 girls) randomly selected from 6 degree colleges to assess their carrier preferences (science and technology, commerce...

English

BACKGROUND: Even though childhood RAP (recurrent abdominal pain) is a worldwide problem, very few epidemiological studies had been done to correlate RAP with dietary habits. Our objective is to determine the dietary habits and prevalence of RAP in school children of village in periphery of Kanpur city. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this cross-sectional study we select an aided school of a village in periphery of Kanpur city. Written consent was obtained from parents along with pretested semi structured parental questionnaire which were distributed in first week of July 2012 through school authorities and collected in similar fashion in last week of July 2012. RESULT: Frequent drinking of soft drink was 32.89% and 16.78% in children with RAP and without RAP respectively. Fruit intake was significantly low in our study in both groups (7.89% vs.10% in controls). Skipping of diet is an important factor in our study (18.42% vs. 9.10% in controls).no significant difference is seen on parameters of drinking tea, fast food/junk food intake and their bowel habits in this study. CONCLUSION: In this study prevalence of RAP was significantly associated with frequent drinking of soft drinks, students with high soft drink consumption reported low fruit intakes. Consumption of more healthful beverages, such as milk, curd or water, should be

Respiratory Disease in Relation to Outdoor Air Pollution in Kanpur, India

ABSTRACT This paper examines the effect of outdoor air pollution on respiratory disease in Kanpur, India, based on data from 2006. Exposure to air pollution is represented by annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from 11 source categories, established as a geographic information system (GIS)-based emission inventory in 2 km × 2 km grid. Respiratory disease is represented by number of patients who visited specialist pulmonary hospital with symptoms of respiratory disease. The results showed that (1) the main sources of air pollution are industries, domestic fuel burning, and vehicles; (2) the emissions of PM per grid are strongly correlated to the emissions of SO2 and NOx; and (3) there is a strong correlation between visits to a hospital due to respiratory disease and emission strength in the area of residence. These results clearly indicate that appropriate health and environmental monitoring, actions to reduce emissions to air, and further studies that would allow assessing the development in health status are necessary. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health for material on emission of SO2, PM, NOx from various sources, and total number of inhabitants, total number of patients in grid squares covering the Kanpur city.]

ASSESSMENT OF TANNERY EFFLUENT: A CASE STUDY OF KANPUR IN INDIA

The tannery effluent collected at monthly interval from January 2011 to December 2011 and analyzed for its characteristics. Samples were collected from one of the tannery from Jajmau area of Kanpur city of India. Results of the analysis showed that presence of addition chemical load like iron, calcium, magnesium, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride and BOD were found in the discharged effluent of the above stated tannery. The analysis of various physical and chemical characteristics of tannery effluents showed variations according to season and results reveals that these are certain relationships between physico-chemical characteristics of effluents both positive and negative.

IDRC-TTI Workshop on Rural Urban Linkage

The workshop on ‘rural-urban linkage’, held at IRMA opened with a broad acceptance of the discourse that rural and urban are in continuum and cannot be seen as separate entities. In the present state of economic development and migration it would be a fallacy on the part of scholars, planners, and policy makers to view rural and urban as disjointed units. It was held that village as a self-sufficient unit is a misplaced concept there being ample evidence available from ancient times about the linkage existing between towns and villages for trade and livelihood purposes. In the present times there has been a greater influx of people from rural to urban areas searching for a better life, no longer available in villages owing to the lack of basic amenities. With these broad questions under consideration the workshop explored and discussed important issues faced by the Indian academia and policy-makers. The major focus was on broader issues concerning the rural-urban continuum and the role of policy and planners. A discussion was held on the agriculture-industry dynamics, trends in non-farm employment, issue of land acquisition and urbanization, and the existence of rural areas in urban centers like Delhi, and its policy implication. There was a discussion on the unique ways in which urbanization has been taking place in Gurgaon, the resettlement related issues of a village Nangal Devat in Delhi, the planning and development issues of Delhi and the environmental dimensions in rural-urban planning. The impact of industrialization on rural communities was also discussed in general followed by case studies. Specific case studies regarding the impact of industrialization on rural communities of the Mundra Taluka in Gujarat and the issue of how a housing colony came up in Kanpur was also discussed. There was also a discussion on the issues of linking of rural-urban continuums while expressing concern for livelihood promotion, settlement, and understanding different dimensions of the subjective well being of people. Cases were discussed on topics concerning the i) supply chain management of tomato production in the Madanpalle region and the ii) Gherkin processing industry in India. Emphasis was laid on how imperative it was to take into consideration infrastructure issues such as rural roads, sanitation issues (cases from the Gujarat state and Kanpur city were discussed in this context), and health challenges while planning for rural-urban linkages.

An approach for evaluation of proposed air pollution control strategy to reduce levels of nitrogen oxides in an urban environment

In this study, an atmospheric dispersion model along with a systematic emission inventory was used to explore the possible control strategy to reduce ambient levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in Kanpur city, India. A GIS based emission inventory of NOx was developed for the base, 5th and 10th years. It was observed that the 5th and 10th years will experience increased emissions by factors of 1.7 and 2.5 of the base year if no control policy is implemented. Seventeen control options (i.e. introduction of Euro 6 to vehicles, banning of 15-year old private vehicles etc.) were considered for evaluation through the dispersion modelling. A control scenario comprising the following control options (1) implementation of Euro 6 for vehicles, (2) compressed natural gas (CNG) for commercial and public vehicles, etc. was found to be most effective in reducing the ambient NOx levels and attaining a 24-hour average air quality standard.

Correlation Study For the Assessment of Water Quality and Its Parameters of Ganga River, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

In the present work water samples are collected from six different Ghats of Ganga river in Kanpur city from March 2010 to February 2011 on monthly basis and water quality assessment is carried out. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) value is determined using correlation matrix to identify the highly correlated and interrelated water quality parameters. To test the significance of the pair of parameters p-value is carried out and in order to test the joint effects of several independent variables, without frequent or repeated monitoring of water quality in a location. Higher concentration of Chromium (6.7 mg/l) at Siddhnath ghat in June, and its monthly variation showed highly adverse effect on river Ganga due to tanneries effluent. It is found that significant positive correlation holds for Temp vs BOD GH1 (r= 0.99, p<0.01), EC vs chloride GH6 (r=0.877, p<0.01), EC vs TDS GH6 (r=0.836, p<0.01); and TA vs DO GH1(r=0.842, p<0.01), pH vs Mg GH6 (r=-0.79, p<0.01), EC vs Nitrate GH6 (r=0.846, p<0.01). A significant negative correlation was found for DO vs BOD GH3 (r=-0.943, p<0.01), DO vs TDS GH6 (r=-0.838, p<0.01), and TA vs TDS GH6 (r=-0.88, p<0.01). Chromium is found that non significant correlation. The mean values of all the measured physico-chemical parameters of Ganga river water are within the highest desirable limit set by WHO except BOD.

Mobile Phone Usage and Awareness of Health Related Issues Among the Male Science Students

The objective of this study was to understand the usage pattern of mobile phones nowadays by the male science students and to check whether they are aware of the fact that the various risk factors associated to their health are these cellular phones only. Cell phones are considered to be one of the most speedily emerging technologies in the human race especially in younger generation within a short span of time. Youth is more inclined towards using mobile phones for activities other than communication than older generation because in adolescent stage, people are more susceptible to changing fashion trends and style, building them more Tech savvy which creates certain behavioral disorders. The fame of the cell phones is followed by an alarm towards the detrimental effects of cell phone radiation. Fatigue, headache, decreased concentration and local irritation and burning are the major effects of excessive usage of cell phones, as stated by various researches. A descriptive survey design was used to extract answers to the questionnaires administrated to 10th, 11th and 12th standard male science students in the Kanpur city, Uttar Pradesh, a state in India. Opinion of 30 skilled physicians in the field of ENT, cardiology and IVF specialists were also taken. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study concludes that the use of mobile phones is quite common among the science students besides considering it as a status symbol; they treat it as their necessity of life. The crucial role played by parents, schools and the publicity due to advertisements gives a push to such adoption behavior. Key words: Mobile phones; Science students; Health; Parents

Monitoring of toxic elements present in sludge of industrial waste using CF-LIBS

Industrial waste is one of the main causes of environmental pollution. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to detect the toxic metals in the sludge of industrial waste water. Sludge on filter paper was obtained after filtering the collected waste water samples from different sections of a water treatment plant situated in an industrial area of Kanpur City. The LIBS spectra of the sludge samples were recorded in the spectral range of 200 to 500 nm by focusing the laser light on sludge. Calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) technique was used for the quantitative measurement of toxic elements such as Cr and Pb present in the sample. We also used the traditional calibration curve approach to quantify these elements. The results obtained from CF-LIBS are in good agreement with the results from the calibration curve approach. Thus, our results demonstrate that CF-LIBS is an appropriate technique for quantitative analysis where reference/standard samples are not available to make the calibration curve. The results of the present experiment are alarming to the people living nearby areas of industrial activities, as the concentrations of toxic elements are quite high compared to the admissible limits of these substances.

Impact of chronic air pollution exposure on pulmonary function in healthy nonsmoker young men from two different areas of Kanpur City

Background: Air pollution is one of the major problem faced in developing countries like India. Chronic exposure to air pollutants can leads to hampered day today activity and increased visit to clinics. The pollutant PM10 (particulate matter size less than 10 μ) especially a risk factor associated with decreased lung functions. The effect of chronic exposure of different concentration of air pollution level on pulmonary function test is still lacking in India especially in Kanpur, a highly polluted city of U.P., India. Aims & Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of chronic exposure of air pollution on lung functions in two differently polluted areas. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty male subjects, in age group of 18 to 30 years from two polluted area of Kanpur, India were participated in the study. Anthropometric data were taken. Pulmonary function test was conducted in standing position. Pollution data of study period was taken from Central pollution control board and compared with the National ambient air quality standard. All data presented as mean ± SD and analysed by independent sample t test by using SPSS version 15. Results: The anthropometric data were statistically not significant in two areas. Forced vital capacity and Forced expiatory flow 25-75 % were statistically significantly different (p

GIS-Based Emission Inventory, Dispersion Modeling, and Assessment for Source Contributions of Particulate Matter in an Urban Environment

The Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST3) model was used to discern the sources responsible for high PM10 levels in Kanpur City, a typical urban area in the Ganga basin, India. A systematic geographic information system-based emission inventory was developed for PM10 in each of 85 grids of 2 × 2 km. The total emission of PM10 was estimated at 11 t day−1 with an overall breakup as follows: (a) industrial point sources, 2.9 t day−1 (26%); (b) vehicles, 2.3 t day−1 (21%); (c) domestic fuel burning, 2.1 t day−1 (19%); (d) paved and unpaved road dust, 1.6 t day−1 (15%); and the rest as other sources. To validate the ISCST3 model and to assess air-quality status, sampling was done in summer and winter at seven sampling sites for over 85 days; PM10 levels were very high (89–632 μg m−3). The results show that the model-predicted concentrations are in good agreement with observed values, and the model performance was found satisfactory. The validated model was run for each source on each day of sampling. The overall source contribution to ambient air pollution was as follows: vehicular traffic (16%), domestic fuel uses (16%), paved and unpaved road dust (14%), and industries (7%). Interestingly, the largest point source (coal-based power plant) did not contribute significantly to ambient air pollution. The reason might be due to release of pollutant at high stack height. The ISCST3 model was shown to produce source apportionment results like receptor modeling that could generate source apportionment results at any desired time and space resolution.

Reconstructing Primary and Secondary Components of PM2.5Composition for an Urban Atmosphere

Total 360 samples (of 8 h each) of PM2.5 were collected from six sampling sites for summer and winter seasons in Kanpur city, India. The collected PM2.5 mass was subjected to chemical speciation for: (1) ionic species (NH+ 4, SO2– 4, NO– 3, and Cl–), (2) carbon contents (EC and OC), and (3) elemental contents (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, Si, Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, As, and Se). Primary and secondary components of PM2.5 were assessed from speciation results. The influence of marine source to PM2.5 was negligible, whereas the contribution of crustal dust was significant (10% in summer and 7% in winter). A mass reconstruction approach for PM2.5 could distinctly establish primary and secondary components of measured PM2.5 as: (1) Primary component (27% in summer and 24% in winter): crustal, elemental carbon, and organic mass, (2) Secondary component (45% in summer and 50% in winter): inorganic and organic mass, and (3) others: unidentified mass (27% in summer and 26% in winter). The secondary inorganic component was about 34% in summer (NH+ 4: 9%; SO2– 4: 16%; NO– 3: 9%) and 32% in winter (NH+ 4: 8%; SO2+ 4: 13%; NO– 3: 11%). The secondary organic component was 12% in summer and 18% in winter. In conclusion, secondary aerosol formation (inorganic and organic) accounted for significant mass of PM 2.5 (about 50%) and any particulate control strategy should also include control of primary precursor gases.

INTRA- AND INTER-HOUSEHOLD DIFFERENCES IN ANTENATAL CARE, DELIVERY PRACTICES AND POSTNATAL CARE BETWEEN LAST NEONATAL DEATHS AND LAST SURVIVING CHILDREN IN A PERI-URBAN AREA OF INDIA

Nearly a quarter of the world's neonatal deaths take place in India. The state of Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for one-quarter of all neonatal deaths in the country. In this study 892 married women aged less than 50 years living in a peri-urban area of Kanpur city in Uttar Pradesh were interviewed. In all, 109 women reported neonatal deaths. Characteristics of the last neonatal deaths of these 109 women were compared with those of the last surviving children. Also, characteristics of women who had a neonatal death were compared with those of 783 women who had no neonatal death. It was found that as compared with neonatal deaths, the last surviving children of the 109 women had: (a) significantly better antenatal tests during pregnancy, intake of iron/folic acid tablets and higher percentage of tetanus toxoid immunization; (b) safer delivery practices such as a higher percentage of institutional delivery, sterilization of instruments and application of antiseptic after removal of umbilical cord; (c) postnatal care, such as application of antiseptic to the navel and postnatal checkups; and (d) higher maternal age and greater birth spacing. Likewise, better antenatal care and safer delivery practices and postnatal care were observed among the 783 women with no neonatal deaths, when compared with women who had experienced neonatal death. The complexities of inter- and intra-household differences in health care are discussed. The paper concludes that to improve child survival general education and awareness regarding safe delivery should be increased. Continuing cultural stigmas and misconceptions about birth practices before, during and after childbirth should be an important part of the awareness campaigns.

Informal markets for electricity: economics of lighting for hawkers in India

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the economics of supplying energy needs for illumination requirements by hawkers using alternatives like compact fluorescent lamps battery lamps, liquefied petroleum gas mantle lamps or supply from mini‐grids supported by local diesel generators. Further, the prevailing business models like the lamp rental and the mini‐grid models, which epitomise informal electricity markets, are also analysed.Design/methodology/approachThree localities in Kanpur city are identified and data on techno‐economic characteristics of illumination options used by hawkers are collected. To compare the available options with varying capital life‐span, equivalent annual cost approach is utilized. This is used to calculate the levelised cost of 1 kiloWalthour energy used for providing illumination.FindingsThe daily user cost of illumination ranges from Rs 6.1 to 17 (for four hours) across the four existing models studied in the paper. This translates to Rs 31.3 to 312.5 per kWh of electricity use. The technology choice by hawkers is influenced by lack of initial capital and inconvenience associated with cheaper options than overall economics of the alternative option is found.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the absence of financial and institutional intervention that can help significantly reduce the cost of electricity access by such users and also help adoption of greener options like solar lanterns or solar battery bank charging stations. A practical solution may include a greater role of micro‐finance institutions. Greater awareness and capacity building needs of local entrepreneurs as well as of end‐users also need attention.Originality/valueThis is perhaps one of the few attempts to unravel the informal electricity markets in India and help identify issues that need attention so as to address needs of millions of consumers at the margin of the electricity grid in the country.

Quantification and distribution of heavy metals from small-scale industrial areas of Kanpur city, India

Kanpur city has large number of small-scale industries (SSIs), primarily comprising of textile and leather industries. This study inventorises the presence of heavy metals in the samples collected from Panki and Jajmau Industrial Areas of Kanpur city. The bulk concentration of heavy metals found in solid waste samples was Fe as 1885 and 2340 mg/kg, Mn 173 and 445 mg/kg, Zn 233 and 132 mg/kg, Cu 20 and 28 mg/kg, Cd 1.4 and 1.1 mg/kg, Ni 26 and 397 mg/kg, Pb 107 and 19 mg/kg, Cr 1323 and 734 mg/kg, respectively. Heavy metal concentration was also found to be high in soil and road dust samples viz. Ni and Pb were in higher concentration in few samples, whereas Cr was found in higher concentration in all samples than the recommended values of USEPA and specifications for compost quality contained in the Indian Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000. The heavy metal pollution so detected is indicative of contamination in ground and surface water and food chain. This raises concerns pertaining to adverse consequences to environment and human health.

Correlation among carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and physiological parameters of Rinodina sophodes found at Kanpur city, India

Accumulation of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur content in Rinodina sophodes, crustose poleotolerent lichen growing naturally in and around six sites of Kanpur city was estimated, and their influence on the photosynthetic pigments of the lichen was studied. Maximum carbon concentration was recorded at highly polluted area while higher accumulation of nitrogen was recorded near village in outskirt of the city having higher ammonia emission. The concentration of sulphur was not detected in most of the sites except a single site where it had a quite lower value (0.22%). Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b) increased parallel to the level of traffic density. Multiple correlation analysis revealed that chlorophyll a had highly significant correlation (1%) with chlorophyll b ( r = 0.9986) and total chlorophyll ( r = 0.9307). Carbon is directly correlated with nitrogen ( r = 0.3035), sulphur ( r = 0.1743) and chlorophyll degradation ( r = 0.2685) while negatively correlated with chlorophyll a (−0.3323), chlorophyll b ( r = −0.3429) and total chlorophyll ( r = −0.0824). Nitrogen showed negative correlation between all photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll degradation, while in case of sulphur, it was high positive correlation at 1% with chlorophyll degradation (0.9445).