Effects of airborne dust on lung function of the exposed subjects

The roadside dust is one of the most important contributors towards overall atmospheric pollution. This problem becomes even more significant when we consider it in relation to the poorly maintained roads loaded with ever increasing motor vehicle traffic, especially in urban areas. This results in many adverse effects especially to the respiratory health of the persons exposed to this dust either because of their residence or occupation in these areas. The roadside dust levels were determined by using 'High volume portable dust sampler' at nine sites/ busy road-crossings of Lahore. These were then, categorized into three groups [each consisting of 3 areas] as; low, medium and high pollution areas. One hundred and five subjects residing/ working in these areas for >10yrs were subjected to Vitalography for measurement of their Forced vital capacity, Forced expiratory volume in first second and Forced mid-expiratory flow rate, as part of assessment of their lung function. The mean +/- SD values of dust in low, medium and high pollution areas were 1.231 +/- 0.409 mg/m[3], 3.365 +/- 0.272 mg/m[3] and 4.697 +/- 0.3 mg/m[3]. The results of Vitalography showed statistically significant impairment of lung function parameter values of the exposed residents/ workers of these areas, proportionate to the extent of exposure to the roadside dust. The inter-group comparison of lung function parameters in groups I, IIa and IIb showed association of impairment with the extent of exposure to roadside dust levels

Air pollution by roadside dust and automobile exhaust at busy road-crossings of Lahore

Lahore is one of the most polluted metropolis of Pakistan and only a few studies have been conducted in this country so far, for the assessment of pollution levels prevalent in relation to the ever increasing roadside automobile traffic. This study was carried out to assess the roadside dust and autoexhaust gaseous levels at 23 busy road-crossings of Lahore. The roadside dust levels were determined by using "High volume portable dust sampler" and autoexhaust gaseous levels were estimated by using "Drager tubes" for Carbon monoxide. Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide gases with '"Drager suction pump". Twenty three sites were sampled for dust and gaseous level estimation. Out of all these; dust concentration was <1.5 mg/m[3]/hr at 8 [35%] sites, between 1.5-3.0 mg/m[3]/hr at 9 [39%] sites and >3.0 mg/m[3]/hr at 6 [26%] sites. Regarding gaseous levels, more than 7 [30%] sites had Carbon monoxide level in excess of 9ppm, whereas 7 [3%] sites had sulphur dioxide level of 20ppm. Nitrogen dioxide levels were hardly above 0.20ppm or below detection limits, due to being lower than the minimum detection limit of the available nitrogen dioxide testing Drager tubes. The levels of roadside dust and autoexhaust gaseous pollutants present in the tested areas are quite high and this is by all means a health hazard to the public at large and inhabitants of these areas in particular. Some sort of preventive/ protective measures need to be taken to safeguard the health of the people at risk