Lucknow City Research Articles

Demonstrating urban pollution using heavy metals in road dusts from Lucknow City, Uttar Pradesh, India

Increasing urbanization and growth in vehicular density has become a growing concern in recent years. Road dusts in urban areas are indicators of heavy metal contamination. In present study road dust samples have been taken from 30 representative locations categorized as residential, commercial and industrial areas in Lucknow city for assessing the concentration of eight heavy metals. Results showed that road dust samples contained significantly high levels of the metals as compared to the values from the background site. In all the road dusts, iron is the most available and labile element followed by zinc. Road dusts concentration varied from 2365.21-10652.01 for Fe, 94.11-374.23 for Zn, 58.80-185.56 for Mn,5.45-55.26 for lead, 6.63-60.12 for Cu, 3.07-26.45 for Cr, 2.50-18.69 for Ni and 0.14-0.85 for Cd. All concentration values are in mg/kg. Contamination was assessed on the basis of contamination factor and pollution load index. The overall degree of contamination is of the order industrial> commercial > residential. A very significant correlation was found between zinc, copper, lead and chromium. The results of multivariate analysis showed that Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb & Ni were associated mainly with anthropogenic activities while Fe and Mn was controlled by lithogenic materials.

A Study on Carbon Sequestration to Curb Climate Damage: An Impact of Planting Trees along Roadsides

Global Warming is now becoming a challenge for survival of species on Earth and draws attention of many modern societies, power and energy engineers, academicians, researchers and stakeholders to go for deeper study. During the 21st centuries, the environmental consequences of increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide lead to the considerable impacts upon Earth's weather and climate change. It is due to faster consumption of hydrocarbon fuel in the transport sector which is posing global threat of increase of green house gases through tail pipe emission. It is also a known fact that major greenhouse gas H2O substantially warms the Earth, minor greenhouse gases such as CO2 have also considerable effect. To sequestrate the Carbon Di-oxide and Carbon Mono-oxide many methods were tried to reduce the impact of environmental issues. But it is noticed that plant and trees are the most effective source to absorb the carbon being released through green house gases. In this paper a study has been carried out to focus on planting trees, that forms a tunnel when matured, along roadside to sequestrate the carbon released from exit gases of transport, as vehicles are increasing every year in manifold especially in developing country like India. Authors have taken many readings at different places in Lucknow City and concluded that if trees are planted along roadsides, the carbon can be sequestrated optimally, if green coverage tunneling with sufficient matured trees is present along road sides. Thus planting trees according to the rate of release of carbon can be the most effective solution for curbing the impact of climate change. This can make Green and Clean Environment and need maximum coverage by media too so that people may start planting trees in residential areas also.

A Study of Air Quality and its Effect on Health: A Geographical Perspective of Lucknow city

Erudite groups of people, scientists, planners, and policy-makers of different countries have come to realise that quality of environment is not necessarily a simple function of nature as in primitive earth. Today nature’s self-regulatory functions are inoperative. All the developed and developing countries are deeply concerned to make balance between their environmental anxiety and their economic development. Dreadful environmental conditions are affecting the biological segment of the ecosystem of these areas. Human being, ‘one of the most precious component in biosphere’, have regular predicament situation with accretion of sullied air, water, and soil degradation. Though water and land pollution is extremely dangerous, air pollution has its own peculiarities, due to its trans-boundary dispersion of pollutants over the entire world. The effect of air pollution on health is very complex as there are many different sources and their individual effect varying from one to other. It is not only the ambient air quality in the cities but also the indoor air quality in the rural and urban areas that are causing concern.The study is confined with the health impact of deteriorating air quality in Lucknow city. The aim of the present study is also to determine the consequences of ambient air quality on health of the people in the study area.

Biomonitoring of air pollution using antioxidative enzyme system in two genera of family Pottiaceae (Bryophyta)

Bryophyte particularly mosses, have been found to serve as reliable indicators of air pollution and can serve as bryometers–biological instruments for measuring air pollution. They are remarkable colonizers, as they have the ability to survive in adverse environments and are also particular in their requirement of environmental conditions, which makes them appropriate ecological indicators. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of antioxidative enzymes in two mosses viz., Hyophila rosea R.S. Williams and Semibarbula orientalis (Web.) Wijk. & Marg. and assess their suitability as biomonitors. Three different locations viz., Lucknow University, Residency (contaminated sites) and Dilkusha Garden (reference site) within Lucknow city with different levels of air pollutants were used for comparison. Our results indicate that air pollution caused marked enhancement in activity of antioxidative enzymes viz., catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. All the three are capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species. In the genus S. orientalis, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity was minimum at the reference site Dilkusha Garden and was significantly higher at the two contaminated sites for catalase and peroxidase, whereas the difference was non significant for superoxide dismutase. In H. rosea the activity of catalase and peroxidase at the three locations was almost similar, however superoxide dismutase activity showed a significant increase in the two contaminated sites when compared to the reference site, the value being highest for Lucknow University site. It was thus observed that the two genera, from the same location, showed difference in the activity of the antioxidative enzymes. Based on our results, we recommend bryophytes as good monitors of air pollution.

A Comparative Study of Nutritional Status of Economically Independent and Economically Dependent Urban Women in Lucknow City

A Comparative Study of Nutritional Status of Economically Independent and Economically Dependent Urban Women in Lucknow City

Regression Modeling of Occupational Stress Among Workers of Unorganized Sector

The purpose of the study is to investigate the possible cause and effect relationships between occupational stress as dependent variables, and age, working experience, number of working hours daily as independent variables. With the help of linear regression model, the relationship has been explored. The present study was conducted on the workers working in unorganized sectors at Lucknow city, India. Unorganized sector comprises of construction, chikankari, brick kilns, sanitary and ornament workers. The study adopted survey research design and a sample of 500 workers were selected for the study. The data was collected with the help of modified version of occupational stress scale developed by the Srivastava AK (1976). The findings of the study revealed that age, gender, types of work are able to explain only 54% variance of the total variance in occupational stress.

Positive Influence of the Multimedia in Primary Education

Multimedia is an integration of various type of media. In it involves text, audio, video, graphics and many more. Multimedia is a term frequently heard and discussed among educational technologists today. Multimedia items used in smart classes, video projector, projection screen etc. Multimedia play a important role of many areas of primary education children in development of verbal communication, the ability to think, the ability to understanding. The present investigation identifies the positive influence of different types of multimedia in primary education. For the investigation, various schools were selected in the five mohllas of Alambagh area in Lucknow city. These Mohall as are Pawanpuri, Kailaspuri, Geetapalli, Krishnapalli and Sujanpura. A total of 120 Pre-primary and primary teachers were selected for the study. Random sampling method was used for sample selection and questionnaire schedule was used for data collection. The t test used in research for data analysis. The results revealed that multimedia have capacity to change the child abilities in positive way, increased content related knowledge and thinking of students.

Comparative Evaluation of QuEChERS Method Coupled to DLLME Extraction for the Analysis of Multiresidue Pesticides in Vegetables and Fruits by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

An economical and rapid multiresidue method has been developed using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) procedure combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) for the quantitative determination of 36 multiclass, multiresidue pesticides (13 organochlorines, 11 organophosphates, and 12 synthetic pyrethroids) in different vegetables and fruits without primary and secondary amine (PSA) cleanup step followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The procedure mainly involves the acetonitrile extraction in the presence of anhydrous MgSO4 and NaCl followed by DLLME using carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) and acetonitrile (disperser solvent). Experimental parameters were optimized using design of experiments (DoE) approach. The method developed without PSA cleanup step has yield similar analytical performance with that of method with PSA cleanup step for all the pesticides analyzed. The precision of the developed method was found to be less than 12 % and limit of detection for all the analyzed pesticides was found to be in the range of 0.001–0.010 mg kg−1. This method was successfully applied in different fruits and vegetables and the recoveries were found to be in the range of 87–106 % at 0.05 mg kg−1 with an acceptable precision (<16 %). Coupling of QuEChERS with DLLME may be an appropriate replacement to eliminate costly PSA and makes the QuEChERS method more economical, time saving, without losing its analytical efficiency. The samples collected from Lucknow City, India, were analyzed for the presence of pesticides and only three pesticides β-cypermethrin, λ-cyhalothrin, and chlorpyrifos were found to have value above PFA-1954/CODEX-MRL values. The method has immense utility to use it for routine analysis of multiclass, multiresidue pesticides in fruits and vegetables.

Managing Work-Life Balance: A Study of Married Female Employees in Management &amp; Engineering Colleges in a Selected Area

Today’s working women are continually being challenged by the demands of full-time work and when the day is done at the office, they carry more of the commitments and responsibilities at home. With growing number of employment among females, it is becoming difficult to separate work from their lives or we can say that work has actually became their life. Since, academic jobs are growing larger and becoming oversized, so it requires more dedication and effort from faculties. In reality, academia now means that colleges/institutions want faculties to teach more courses than ever before while maintaining active research programs, obtaining significant grants and other activities that include finding, mentoring and advising students. So, these jobs today, have three dimensional demands i.e. research, teaching and services. Regardless of whether the women is in a job, they tend to bear a greater proportion of domestic responsibilities as compared to men which she tries to balance with various conflicting roles like professional, mother, wife, daughter-in-law etc. When domestic work gets coupled with a busy professional life, the workload becomes burdensome. This significantly increases pressure in office as well as in the family. For the purpose of study data was collected from female faculties of various management and engineering colleges in Lucknow city with the help of structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed with the help of percentage &amp; frequency table analysis and hypotheses were proved with the help of chi-square and one-way ANOVA test. Present study aims to analyze the relationship between socio-economic variables and work-life balance. The results revealed that there is no significant difference between the designation of female employees and their attitude towards conflicting demands at home and work. The study also shows that without proper support from spouse and family, it is difficult to balance work and life effectively.

Heat and PAHs Emissions in Indoor Kitchen Air and Its Impact on Kidney Dysfunctions among Kitchen Workers in Lucknow, North India.

Indoor air quality and heat exposure have become an important occupational health and safety concern in several workplaces including kitchens of hotels. This study investigated the heat, particulate matter (PM), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions in indoor air of commercial kitchen and its association with kidney dysfunctions among kitchen workers. A cross sectional study was conducted on 94 kitchen workers employed at commercial kitchen in Lucknow city, North India. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to collect the personal and occupational history of the kitchen workers. The urine analysis for specific gravity and microalbuminuria was conducted among the study subjects. Indoor air temperature, humidity, wet/ dry bulb temperature and humidex heat stress was monitored during cooking activities at the kitchen. Particulate matter (PM) for 1 and 2.5 microns were monitored in kitchen during working hours using Hazdust. PAHS in indoor air was analysed using UHPLC. Urinary hydroxy-PAHs in kitchen workers were measured using GC/MS-MS. Higher indoor air temperature, relative humidity, PM1 and PM2.5 (p<0.001) was observed in the kitchen due to cooking process. Indoor air PAHs identified are Napthalene, fluorine, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene and indeno [1,2,3-cd) pyrene. Concentrations of all PAHs identified in kitchen were above the permissible OSHA norms for indoor air. Specific gravity of urine was significantly higher among the kitchen workers (p<0.001) as compared to the control group. Also, the prevalence of microalbuminuria was higher (p<0.001) among kitchen workers. Urinary PAH metabolites detected among kitchen workers were 1-NAP, 9-HF, 3-HF, 9-PHN and 1-OHP. Continuous heat exposure in kitchens due to cooking can alter kidney functions viz., high specific gravity of urine in kitchen workers. Exposure to PM, VOCs and PAHs in indoor air and presence of urinary PAHs metabolites may lead to inflammation, which can cause microalbuminuria in kitchen workers, as observed in the present study.

Monitoring of Hazardous Inorganic Pollutants and Heavy Metals in Potable Water at the Source of Supply and Consumers end of a Tropical Urban Municipality

River water is not only an indispensable source for irrigation but also plays a vital role for drinking water supply for most of the urban municipalities. Water from rivers is pumped at specific sites and after treatment at municipal water treatment plants supplied as domestic potable water supply. The present study was undertaken to assess the suitability of Gomti river water at Gaughat being used as the source of water supply for Lucknow city and to evaluate post-treatment potable water quality at the consumer end by monitoring the levels of inorganic pollutants (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate) and heavy metals. Municipal water supply at Gaughat showed marked variations in the levels of pH (7.13-8.63) and electrical conductivity (375.66-571.67µS/cm). The amount of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate was observed 26.25, 0.082, 6.9 and 1.82 mg/l respectively at Gaughat. Also, the levels of heavy metals in the municipal water source at Gaughat varied significantly for Fe (0.33-1.65 mg/l), Cu (0.077-0.108 mg/l), Cd (0.03-0.052 mg/l), Pb (0.68-0.96 mg/l) and Cr (0.036-0.065 mg/l). Water at the user end was also contaminated as the concentration of analysed inorganic pollutants and heavy metals were correspondingly higher than observed at the source. While comparing potable water at the user end of Lucknow municipality with the BIS (Drinking Water Specifications) and WHO standards for drinking water, the concentration of all studied heavy metals and other inorganic contaminants were much above the permissible levels, thus posing a serious threat to the public health.

Impact of Electronic Media on Purchasing Decision among Youths with Special Reference to Fairness Cream

A rapid advancement in the Electronic Technology in sharing the information and its wide reach in Lucknow city helps in promoting the products and making buying decision. Electronic media such as Television (TV), Radio, Internet are providing the innovative ways to approach customers. Television and Radio being the mass media instruments for promoting the product not only for literates but illiterates as well. Youths are now accessing internet through different medium such as laptop, personal computer, mobile, tablets which provides marketers an easy way to approach them. A sample of 180 youths was selected for the study from Lucknow city. On the basis of collected data, we examined the impact of electronic media for fairness cream on the youths since they are more concerned about their skin complexion. The study also examines the gender wise opinion for electronic media in their buying decision and the perceived credibility of electronic media.

Condition &amp; Problems of Female Domestic Workers (With Special Reference to L.D.A. Colony in Lucknow City, India)

Condition & Problems of Female Domestic Workers (With Special Reference to L.D.A. Colony in Lucknow City, India) Rufina Augustine; Dr. Rupesh Kumar Singh Abstract Female domestic workers are the part of unorganized workforce of India. This trend of keeping females as a domestic worker has increased day by day this could be because of lack of education, Unemployment and lack of other Vocational skills. This study highlights the “Condition & problems of female domestic workers” which basically focuses on the “condition of work” & “working conditions” and problems related to health, wages, work security, family related problems because of work, mental, physical & sexual harassment at workplace. The study also reveals the awareness of the respondents about the Governmental Organizations (GO’s) & Non- Governmental Organization (NGO’s) working for their welfare. The results and discussion part gives a clear picture of the “Condition & Problems of the female domestic workers of that area”. The suggestions given in the study can be cited to improve the conditions of Female domestic workers in India. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jssw.v4n2a11

Prevalence of dental erosion in 12-year-old schoolchildren of Lucknow city

Introduction: Dental erosion is tooth surface loss caused by chemical processes without bacterial involvement, which can affect children because of various dietary and other lifestyle factors. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental erosion in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Lucknow city. Materials and Methods: A total of 212 schoolchildren were selected through multistage cluster random sampling method. A pretested self-administered pro forma was used to record demographic data, medical history, and dietary habits. The clinical examination was done to evaluate dental erosion of children using dental erosion index by O'Sullivan. Descriptive analytical tests were used including distribution of erosion, its extent and severity. The findings were compared across the study participants using Chi-square test. Results: The overall prevalence of dental erosion was 34.12% with no significant sex difference. Dental erosion was significantly related to the frequency of consumption of fruit juices (67.07%) followed by carbonated drinks (64.47%). In most of the cases, more than half of their surfaces were diagnosed as affected by erosion (26.25% central incisors, 4.83% lateral incisors). Conclusions: Dental erosion among the study group was found to be 34.12%, providing evidence that dental erosion is becoming a significant problem in Lucknow schoolchildren.

Negative Impact of Multimedia Elements in Early Year (3-6) Students’ Education

Multimedia integrated with many other media, Text, sound, videos, animation and graphics are the elements of multimedia. Multimedia develops negativity in early year (3-6) students. In this age students learn that things which are they seen. The present research identifies negative impact of multimedia elements in early year (3-6) students’ education. For the research, various schools were selected in the five mohallas of Alambagh area in Lucknow city. These mohallas are Pawanpuri, Kailaspuri, Geetapalli, Krishnapalli and Sujanpura. A total of 120 Pre-primary and primary teachers were selected for the study. Random sampling method was used for sample selection and selfmade questionnaire schedule was used for data collection. The t test used in research for data analysis, the results revealed that through to multimedia affects early year students’ personality. Early year students become dependent on multimedia elements.

Impact Assessment of Gomti River Water Quality after Immersion of Idols During Durga Utsav

In present study, an attempt has been made to assess the deterioration of water quality of river Gomti after the immersion of idols in Lucknow city. Water samples were collected (pre, during and post-idol immersion) from 4 selected locations (1 upstream and 3 downstream) during the festival month. All samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and metallic characteristics. The mean concentrations of TSS, TDS, alkalinity, hardness, DO and BOD5 were 29 ± 7, 183 ± 9, 159 ± 20, 130 ± 5, 6.40 ± 0.18, 20.50 ± 2.38 mg/L and EC was 0.35 ± 0.02 μS/cm (before idol immersion); 61 ± 13, 260 ± 47, 202 ± 11, 162 ± 14, 5.90 ± 0.41, 29 ± 7 mg/L and EC was 0.41 ± 0.02 μS/cm (after 6 hr of idol immersion) and 25 ± 4, 205 ± 17, 206 ± 14, 137 ± 8, 6.00 ± 0.26, 22.0 ± 3.6 mg/L and EC was 0.40 ± 0.02 μS/cm (postidol immersion) respectively. The mean concentration of metals like Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn were 0.007 ± 0.013, 0.021 ± 0.023, 0.001 ± 0.000 and 0.021 ± 0.013 mg/L (before idol immersion), 0.070 ± 0.013, 0.127 ± 0.035, 0.013 ± 0.014 and 0.038 ± 0.028 mg/L (after 6 hr of idol immersion) and 0.008 ± 0.004, 0.267 ± 0.304, 0.013 ± 0.014 and 0.031 ± 0.009 mg/L (post-idol immersion) respectively. All physico-chemical and metallic parameters of water samples drawn after idol immersion was found increased to measurable levels as compared to the samples collected before idol immersion. The analysis results confirmed the presumed hypothesis that water quality of river Gomti is adversely affected due to the immersion of idols during festival season.

Housing and sanitary conditions in slums of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh

Background: Slums have been part of the history of most cities, particularly in the early years of industrialization. Rapid urbanization and the mismatch in the provision and maintenance of proper housing conditions result in environmental decay, which further leads to origin and spread of health problems and diseases. Objective: To study the housing and sanitary conditions of the households residing in urban slums of Lucknow. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of Lucknow city from February 2014 to September 2014. A total of 384 households were assessed for housing and sanitary conditions through house-to-house survey with the help of predesigned, pretested, and semistructured questionnaire. Result: Among 384 households included in the study, 77.1% were situated in congested locality with 69.5% having a back to back and continuous type of house setup. About 47.3% and 25.0% of the houses were having inadequate ventilation and lighting, respectively. A total of 74.5% of the houses had unsafe practices for water storage and handling. The practice of handwashing before cooking food and eating was found in 77.9% and 52.6%, respectively. A total of 51.1% of the households reported open field defecation. Conclusion: This study reveals the need for developing and providing a more effective and comprehensive package of facilities related to housing, water, sanitation, and garbage disposal for urban slums.

Effect of sociodemographic factors on age-appropriate immunization of children in slums of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh

Background: Developing countries like India are presently developing new strategies to increase immunization coverage and reach more children with quality vaccine. Children in urban slums have high vulnerability to illnesses as outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases are more common in these communities, owing to high population density and migratory population. Objective: To assess the immunization coverage and various sociodemographic factors affecting the same in urban slums of Lucknow. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in slums of Lucknow city from August 2014 to July 2015. A total 327 children in age group 9 months to 2 years were enrolled in the study and their mothers (or primary caregivers) were interviewed through house-to-house survey with the help of a predesigned, pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Results: About one-fourth (24.1%) of the children were completely immunized and 32.4% were partially immunized, while 43.4% were unimmunized. Significant association was found between mother’s occupation (p = 0.000), mother’s educational status (p = 0.013), and father’s educational status (p = 0.023) with immunization status of children. Conclusion: In this study, overall coverage of immunization was suboptimal in slums. So, there is an urgent need to review the current strategies of immunization with special focus in urban slums.

Nutritional assessment of chronic kidney disease patients of Lucknow city : A comparative study

Background : Chronic Kidney Disease is a silent epidemic of the 21st century and in India its incidence continues to at an alarming rate. Nutritional assessment of chronic kidney disease patients may help in improving the health status and better life quality of CKD patients. Objective : Present study was conducted in 2 hospitals of Lucknow city (U.P.) to assess the nutritional status of CKD patients. Methods : One hundred chronic kidney disease patients were selected randomly, fifty from indoor patient department and fifty from outdoor patient department, more than fifteen years of age, belonging to different socioeconomic status and surveyed. A questionnaire-cum-interview schedule method was used to know the demographic profile, dietary, biochemical and clinical profile of patients and other factors related to disease. Results : The findings revealed that dietary intake of OPD patients were better than that of IPD. IPD patients showed poor biochemical and clinical profile than OPD. BMI of the subjects decreased with decrease in GFR in both groups. Conclusion : Malnutrition was common in IPD group. Insufficient food intake associates with malnutrition. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to assess nutritional status of CKD patients to improve their health conditions.

Arm span is a good predictor for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory volume (FEV1) in healthy children aged 8 to 12 years

Spirometry is the method of choice for evaluation of pulmonary function tests in adults and in children as well. Some dynamic pulmonary functions like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of one second (FEV1) are the most common parameters for the assessment of restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. The FVC and FEV1 was measured in 400 normal healthy children in the age group of 8 to 12 years of Lucknow city. It was observed that there was a parallel progressive increase in the magnitude of arm span, a physical growth parameter and pulmonary functions like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of one second (FEV1) per year increase in the age. A highly significant positive correlation existed between arm span and pulmonary functions. To predict FVC & FEV1 from arm span multiple and partial Bivariate prediction equations were calculated.