Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India

Background: Air pollution is a pressing global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India. Children living near industrialized and critically polluted areas (CPAs) face heightened health risks due to their developing respiratory systems. This study aimed to assess th...

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Main Authors: Rekha Kashyap, Ankit Sheth, Rupal Thasale, Moinuddhin Mansuri, Ankit Viramgami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-11-01
Series:Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398423002312
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author Rekha Kashyap
Ankit Sheth
Rupal Thasale
Moinuddhin Mansuri
Ankit Viramgami
author_facet Rekha Kashyap
Ankit Sheth
Rupal Thasale
Moinuddhin Mansuri
Ankit Viramgami
author_sort Rekha Kashyap
collection DOAJ
description Background: Air pollution is a pressing global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India. Children living near industrialized and critically polluted areas (CPAs) face heightened health risks due to their developing respiratory systems. This study aimed to assess the impact of industrial pollution on children's lung function in a CPA in western India. Methodology: The study evaluated 362 children studying in 5th to 7th standard from both a CPA and a relatively non-polluted area (NPA) for comparison. Ambient and indoor air quality measurements were taken, and pulmonary function tests were conducted to assess lung health. Group difference and regression analysis were performed with SPSS 26.0. Results: The CPA group showed significantly higher air pollution levels and a higher prevalence of obstructive and restrictive patterns in pulmonary function compared to the NPA group. The findings also revealed that children residing in CPA exhibited a significant decline of 530 ml forced expiratory flow rate (FEF 25–75%), and a reduction of 3.9% FEV1/FVC ratio when compared to children residing in relatively NPA. Conclusion: While this study's cross-sectional design has limitations, it provides valuable evidence of the impact of air pollution on children's lungs in a semi-urban industrialized area. To mitigate these health risks, integrating respiratory health check-ups, including pulmonary function tests, in existing health programs, like Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), is recommended for early detection and intervention. Implementing initiatives such as enhancing green belts around schools and continuous air quality monitoring will be crucial.
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spelling doaj.art-a9a387b691094b16a5f41727df0fc1e72023-12-16T06:07:23ZengElsevierClinical Epidemiology and Global Health2213-39842023-11-0124101444Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western IndiaRekha Kashyap0Ankit Sheth1Rupal Thasale2Moinuddhin Mansuri3Ankit Viramgami4Air Pollution Division, ICMR-NIOH, Ahmedabad, IndiaHealth Science Division, ICMR-NIOH, Ahmedabad, IndiaAir Pollution Division, ICMR-NIOH, Ahmedabad, IndiaHealth Science Division, ICMR-NIOH, Ahmedabad, IndiaHealth Science Division, ICMR-NIOH, Ahmedabad, India; Corresponding author. Health Science Division, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India.Background: Air pollution is a pressing global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India. Children living near industrialized and critically polluted areas (CPAs) face heightened health risks due to their developing respiratory systems. This study aimed to assess the impact of industrial pollution on children's lung function in a CPA in western India. Methodology: The study evaluated 362 children studying in 5th to 7th standard from both a CPA and a relatively non-polluted area (NPA) for comparison. Ambient and indoor air quality measurements were taken, and pulmonary function tests were conducted to assess lung health. Group difference and regression analysis were performed with SPSS 26.0. Results: The CPA group showed significantly higher air pollution levels and a higher prevalence of obstructive and restrictive patterns in pulmonary function compared to the NPA group. The findings also revealed that children residing in CPA exhibited a significant decline of 530 ml forced expiratory flow rate (FEF 25–75%), and a reduction of 3.9% FEV1/FVC ratio when compared to children residing in relatively NPA. Conclusion: While this study's cross-sectional design has limitations, it provides valuable evidence of the impact of air pollution on children's lungs in a semi-urban industrialized area. To mitigate these health risks, integrating respiratory health check-ups, including pulmonary function tests, in existing health programs, like Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), is recommended for early detection and intervention. Implementing initiatives such as enhancing green belts around schools and continuous air quality monitoring will be crucial.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398423002312Air pollutionIndustrial areaPulmonary function testChildren
spellingShingle Rekha Kashyap
Ankit Sheth
Rupal Thasale
Moinuddhin Mansuri
Ankit Viramgami
Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health
Air pollution
Industrial area
Pulmonary function test
Children
title Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India
title_full Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India
title_fullStr Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India
title_full_unstemmed Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India
title_short Impact of industrial pollution on children's lungs: A comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non-polluted areas in western India
title_sort impact of industrial pollution on children s lungs a comparative analysis of pulmonary function in critically polluted and non polluted areas in western india
topic Air pollution
Industrial area
Pulmonary function test
Children
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213398423002312
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