The Hindu : New Delhi News : Air pollution showing alarming trends

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Air pollution showing alarming trends

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Study by Central Pollution Control Board and Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, indicates disturbing trends on air pollution-related respiratory symptoms

NEW DELHI: Documenting the effects of increased air pollutants, especially Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter and other carcinogens, on human health, an epidemiological study undertaken by the Central Pollution Control Board in collaboration with the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, has found that Delhiites need some fresh air soon.

Among the tested population sample in the Capital, it was found that as many as 46.1 per cent people (non-smokers) had impaired lung function, 24.7 per cent had restrictive impairment, 14.2 per cent had obstructive impairment and 7.2 per cent individuals had combined impairment caused due to air pollution.

A related study, "Ambient Air Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi" has revealed that of those selected for the study, 64 per cent school children had impaired lung function.

The interim results also indicated that 66.7 per cent boys and 62.2 per cent girls had impaired lung function in the Capital.

Creating data base

The study, carried out over a span of three years, was aimed at creating a data base on air pollution related respiratory symptoms among the residents of Delhi, gauge the degree of lung function impairment in persons chronically exposed to city's air and to explore the underlying mechanism of air pollution related pulmonary dysfunction at the cellular and sub-cellular level of the human body.

The scope of work involves health assessment including evaluation of respiratory symptoms through questionnaire survey and clinical examination. The study also took into account the assessment of lung function, cellular lung response to air pollution, effects of Delhi's air pollution, changes in liver and kidney function.

The study undertook sampling at 36 health camps during November 2002 to April 2004, during winter, summer and monsoon seasons and covered various parts of East, West, Central, South and North Delhi.

Individuals were surveyed through questionnaires and clinically examined and the age of the people surveyed ranged between 20 to 75 years.

Health camps held

"While the results of the survey among adults showed a worrying trend, school children chronically exposed to ambient air pollution of Delhi manifested prevalence health problems related to pollution. Health camps were held in 12 schools in various parts of Delhi and 4,671 students (3,247 boys and 1,424 girls) have been surveyed till July 2004," explained a CPCB official.

He added that while talks and efforts were under way to establish more stringent air quality standards to reduce the ill-effects of air pollution on the health of Delhiites, the fact that not only is the pollution effecting the lung but also altering immunity, impairing liver functions, causing genetic changes and blood-related abnormalities, cannot be ignored.

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