A retrospective approach to assess human health risks associated with growing air pollution in urbanized area of Thar Desert, western Rajasthan, India

Abstract

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.

To Investigate the Effects of Air Pollution (PM10 and SO2) on the Respiratory Diseases Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Similarly, a study investigating SO 2 -and PM-induced air pollution and the admissions of asthma and COPD patients to the emergency unit showed that high SO 2 values were found to be associated with admission to the emergency unit [27]. A study by Rumana et al [28] examined the relationship between the levels of PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides (NOx), SO 2 , ammonia (NH 3 ), and ozone (O 3 ), urbanization, and air pollution and emergent respiratory and cardiac diseases and revealed that respiratory infections (25%) and the prevalence of asthma/COPD (4%) were associated with increased air pollution. In literature, studies have demonstrated a linear relationship between air pollution and respiratory tract diseases.…”

Effects of air pollution on human health and practical measures for prevention in Iran

“…The sources of pollution vary from small unit of cigarettes and natural sources such as volcanic activities to large volume of emission from motor engines of automobiles and industrial activities. [12] Long-term effects of air pollution on the onset of diseases such as respiratory infections and inflammations, cardiovascular dysfunctions, and cancer is widely accepted;[3456] hence, air pollution is linked with millions of death globally each year. [789] A recent study has revealed the association between male infertility and air pollution.…”

Inhaled matters of the Heart

“…Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) is one of the most toxic gases in air-polluted areas [63,64] . It is commonly released in the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion [65] .…”