Evaluation Of Lung Functions Exposed To Traffic Related Air Pollution Among Dental College Students

Abstract

Background : Air quality plays a significant role in human’s health and wellbeing .Air pollution is a global problem and one of the most necessary environmental determinants for human fitness. Road transport is a major source of air pollution. Particulate matter, which is an important factor of air pollution, triggers an inflammatory response in lung tissues and bronchial epithelium(1).Traffic emission is an important source of ambient air pollution in urban regions . Numerous research has proven that persistent exposure to traffic-related air pollution used to be significantly related with respiratory mortality and morbidity(2). However, exposure to traffic emission frequently includes short-term (within hours) exposure to relatively excessive levels of traffic-related air pollution that leads to impaired lung functions.
Objective : The study aims to compare the lung functional status among non traffic related air pollution and traffic related air pollution exposed student population .
Methods : Few students who were constantly exposed to traffic related air pollution and students who were not exposed to traffic related air pollution were taken as the subjects for this study. The lung functional capacities (i.e) FVC,FEV1,PEFR,FEV1/FVC and FEF(25-75%) were determined using RMS Helios 702 spirometer. The data were analysed statistically using independent T- tests in SPSS version 23.The mean values and standard deviation of the mean (SD) were calculated for all the subjects.
Results : The assessment of lung functions by FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75 showed a decrease in TRAP exposed subjects compared to non TRAP exposed subjects but was not statistically significant. But FEV1/FVC & PEFR showed a statistically significant decrease in TRAP exposed subjects compared to non TRAP exposed subjects.
Conclusion : This study indicated that the exposure to traffic related air pollution would enlarge the hazard of getting respiratory signs and symptoms and reduction in lung function amongst the study respondents . Thus the study concluded that students exposed to traffic related air pollution for more than a year had decreased lung capacities and possessed an increased risk of obstructive lung disease like asthma .