Pulmonary function study in the identified critically polluted areas of Talcher (Orissa)

Angul-Talcher area of Orissa is an industrial complex of diversities of industries, which released large number of pollutants into the environment causing environmental pollution and affect the community people as well as the workers working there. Considering the magnitude of the problem pulmonary function study had been carried out in to the community people of this polluted area. The pulmonary function tests (PFT) were carried out in 1099 male and 1072 female subjects except the children below the age of 10 years. Vital capacity (VC) and Forced vital capacity (FVC) were recorded in standing posture. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and its percentage (FEV1%) were calculated. The PFT results indicated that in male and female subjects of 10-19 year age group the FVC values were significantly lowered in exposed villagers in comparison to control subjects. In all other age ranges some of the differences have been found to be significant at various levels. The mean values of FVC and FEV1 were higher in control villagers of most of the age groups than that of the exposed villagers PFT values were also presented according to smoking habit. Restrictive type of PFT impairment were noticed more. The male villagers of Gurjunguli showed the maximum - 40.9% followed by Digghi-39.1%, Kulad-35%, Tentuli- 23.4%, Bonda - 16.3%, Gadarkhai-15.4% and Balanda-13.5%. In females the sequence of having higher incidence rate of restrictive diseases were Digghi-37.0%, Tentuli-29.0%, Gurjunguli-25.3%, Kulad - 21.5%, Gadarkhai - 15.3%, Balanda - 15.3% and Bonda - 13.7%. In control village restrictive impairment were 10.7% in male and 7.4% in females. Obstructive types of impairments are comparatively less than restrictive type of impairments. Control male and female subjects had 7.1% and 5.7% of obstructive impairments and they are mostly belonged to higher age groups. In exposed villages obstructive impairments were found in Godarkhai - 6.4%, Kulad - 5.0%, Digghi - 4.2%, Tentuli - 2.6% and Balanda - 1.8% in males and the corresponding figures 5.0%, Digghi - 4.2%, Tentuli - 2.6% and Balanda - 1.8% in males and the corresponding figures in the females were Gadarkhai - 3.0%, Kulad - 2.6%, Digghi - 3.7% Tentuli - 3.0%) and Balanda - 4.0% respectively. The combined types of impairments were more in exposed subjects and they were belonged to higher age groups. The higher prevalence's might be due to the pollution effects of industries situated in and around the concerned villages. Categorically mild type of obstructive impairments was more in control subjects and they belonged to 50 and above year's age group. It is well known that the higher age accounted for lowering PFT values, which might be in the form of mild obstruction.