Background: The response of the human lungs to exposure to various particles like seen in atmospheric pollution, work place, various gases, have been studied in different populations by various studies. The pollution level in Chennai city is moderate whereas it is quite high in the suburbs of Chennai. Aim: To understand the effect of petrol and diesel vapours on lungs in persons working at petrol pump stations in the suburbs of Chennai through Spirometry. Methods: This study was conducted at 20 Petrol pumps in the suburbs of Chennai. Total participants were 250. Of these, 123 were workers [Group I] and 127 were office employees working in the pump stations [Group II]. Spirometry was successfully performed on 102 workers [GroupI] and on 102 office employees [Group II] who were also used as healthy controls. Result: The Spirometry values were significantly reduced in participants working in the petrol pumps as compared to the controls. The reduction further increased with prolonged duration of exposure. Conclusion: This study concludes that the respiratory function declines in those persons working in petrol pumps due to constant exposure to petrol and diesel fumes and the degree of impairment increases with the duration of exposure.

Background: Tuberculosis [TB] continues to be a major public health problem in India with an estimated 2.7 million new cases and approximately 2.2 million deaths in 2015.The private sector caters to more than 50% of the TB care in India. Various studies done have shown that the awareness and the knowledge of the private practitioners are not adequate. Aim: This study was done to assess the awareness and knowledge of PPs [Private Practitioners] in and around Chennai with regard to TB diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and DOTS [Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course]. Methods: Questionnaire on different aspects of tuberculosis management and DOTS was given to participants who are medical doctors and managing patients of TB and the results were analysed. Results: 41.6% suspect tuberculosis based on cough and expectoration more than 2 weeks. 60.4% preferred CXR [Chest X-ray] for diagnosis and monitoring pulmonary TB patients. There was overreliance on Mantoux and other investigations not recommended by RNTCP [Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program]. 65.3% would not screen contacts of TB patients. 76.2% would treat the patients but don't prefer DOTS. 96% of PPs had not maintained any record for the TB patients and 97% preferred daily therapy. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge about tuberculosis and DOTS is low among PPs in and around Chennai is low. The PPs need adequate training on RNTCP/DOTS and they need to be properly motivated. The public sector needs to collaborate and coordinate with the private practitioners for better diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis patients so that it not only gives a cure for the patients but also prevents drug resistance.