Air pollution has been a matter of great concern globally because of the associated health risks to individuals. The situation is getting worse in developing countries with more urbanization, industrialization and more importantly the rapidly growing population posing a threat to human life in the form of pulmonary, cardiovascular, carcinogenic or asthmatic diseases by accumulating toxic pollutants, harmful gases, metals, hydrocarbons etc.ObjectiveThe present study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of ambient air pollutants and their human health risks like respiratory ailments, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer using a Retrospective Approach of Bart Ostra.MethodologyThe parameters PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SO2, NH3 and O3 were monitored at all selected study sites monitored through a high volume sampler (APM 451 Envirotech, Envirotech Instruments Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India). Retrospective Approach was used for assessment of risk factors and disease burden of respiratory and cardiopulmonary health problems.ResultsEnvironmental burden of disease showed that the problem of health related to air pollution is a main concern particularly in the growing cities of India. High to critical level of air pollution including PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SO2, NH3 and O3 was observed in all seasons at traffic intersections and commercial sites. The respiratory infections (25% incidence in population exposed to indoor smoke problems) and a prevalence of asthma/COPD (4.4%) in households exposed to high vehicular pollution along with signs of coronary artery/heart disease and/or hypertension and cancers (37.9-52.2%), were reported requiring preventive measures.ConclusionThe study reflects a great concern for the mankind with the need of having streamline ways to limit air pollution and emphasize upon efficiently determining the risk of illness upon exposure to air pollution.

Shannon's diversity index H' = pi log 2 pi was calculated for 16 fish species. The index was resolved into its components, species richness and relative abundance, to determine which components played a larger role in the determination of diversity pattern. Changes in diversity were correlated with species richness (r), habitat heterogeneity, and hydrological regimes in a longitudinal stretch of 35 km along the river Giri, a major tributary of the Yamuna River system, in Western Himalayas. Abundance differs with change in habitat structures, habitat preference of fish species and water regimes. The decrease in diversity in the lower stretch of about 3-4 km upstream of the barrage was found to be associated with habitat fragmentation and as well as d/s with loss of biotic integrity of aquatic ecosystem due to water scarcity. Species richness was found to be maximum at upper and middle reaches (elevation 650-800 m, msl) of the river, whereas it was low in lower reaches. Change in water chemistry was also noticed at Jatan barrage-low head dam due to impoundment of river water. It is inferred that the regulation of water has an impact on species richness and relative abundance, and on habitat heterogeneity which has decreased due to the change in environmental condition.RÉSUMÉ: Impact des barrages de seuil sur les pêcheries -Etude de cas sur la rivière Giri du bassin de Yamuna, en Inde. L'indice de diversité de Shannon H' = pi log 2 pi a été calculé pour 16 espèces de poissons. L'indice a été résolu dans ses composantes, la richesse spécifique et l'abondance relative, afin de déterminer quelles composantes ont joué un rôle plus important dans la détermination du modèle de diversité. Les changements dans la diversité ont été corrélés avec la richesse spécifique(r), l'hétérogénéité de l'habitat et les régimes hydrologiques sur un secteur longitudinal de 35 km sur la rivière de Giri, un des tributaires majeurs du bassin hydrologique de Yamuna, dans le Ouest des Himalaya. L'abondance diffère selon les changements dans les structures des habitats, les préférences d'habitat des poissons et les régimes hydrologiques. La baisse en diversité dans le secteur inférieur à 3-4 km en amont du barrage a été associée avec la fragmentation de l'habitat et le rapport d/s a été associé avec la perte d'intégrité biotique de l'écosystème aquatique à cause du manque d'eau. La richesse spécifique a atteint la valeur maximale dans les secteurs supérieur et moyen de la rivière (altitude 650-800 m au-dessus du niveau de la mer) et elle est basse dans le secteur inférieur. De même un changement dans la chimie de l'eau a été détecté au barrage de seuil de Jatan, dû à la retenue d'eau de la rivière. On considère que la régularisation de la rivière porte atteinte à la richesse spécifique et à l'abondance relative ainsi qu'à la hétérogénéité de l'habitat, qui a baissé à cause des changements des conditions environnementales.Brought to you by | MIT Libraries Authenticated Download Date | 5/13/18 12:09 AM H. S. Rumana et al. -Dam impact on ...

The present study was carried out to assess the drinking water quality, hygiene and human health existing in the city of Jodhpur. About 89.8% of houses use household drinking water from supply, and the remaining 10.2% houses depend on public taps or other water sources. Similar results for sanitation and hygiene observed as 97% of houses did not have any garbage disposal facility and in all 10.6% did not have easy access to a sanitary facility. The results of physical and chemical parameters of ground water were above the drinking water standards, whereas in the case of household drinking water were within standard limits. The presence of total coliform, faecal coliform and faecal streptococci were showing water contamination which may be the cause of significant prevalence 5.0% (p < 0.001) of gastrointestinal infections.