Pulmonary function in aluminium smelter and surrounding community--a case study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Pulmonary Physiology

Background:

• Industrial activities in Angul-Talcher, Orissa, have led to environmental degradation.
• This pollution poses health risks to both industrial workers and the local community.
• Aluminum smelting and associated captive power plants are significant contributors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of industrial pollution on respiratory health in the Angul-Talcher area.
• To compare pulmonary function test (PFT) results among aluminum smelter plant workers, captive power plant (CPP) workers, and surrounding community members.
• To investigate the influence of exposure duration, age, and smoking habits on lung function.

Main Methods:

• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were conducted on 180 smelter plant workers, 37 CPP workers, and 85 community members.
• Spirometric assessments included Vital Capacity (VC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR).
• Calculated lung volumes (FEV1, FEV1%) and flow rates (FEF200-1200ml, FEF25-75%, FEF75-85%) were analyzed based on age, exposure duration, and smoking status.

Main Results:

• Smelter plant workers exhibited higher mean SVC, FVC, and FEV1 compared to community members; CPP workers' values were similar to the community.
• A progressive decline in PFT values was observed with increased duration of exposure.
• Respiratory impairment rates were highest in smelter plant workers (9.44%), followed by CPP workers (5.40%) and community members (2.35%).

Conclusions:

• Industrial pollution in the Angul-Talcher region significantly impacts respiratory health, particularly among smelter plant workers.
• Increased exposure duration is directly correlated with decreased lung function.
• Both restrictive and obstructive respiratory impairments are more prevalent in smelter plant workers compared to CPP workers and the general community.