Domestic smoke pollution and respiratory function in rural Nepal

A study was conducted to see the effect of domestic smoke pollution on respiratory function by using vitalograph Model 20.400 S-type dry portable spirometer in 150 randomly selected female subjects aged 30-44 years from a rural area situated in the outskirts of Kathmandu valley at an altitude of 4,800 ft. above sea level. The area is totally free from industrial and atmospheric pollution. Women spend considerable time near the fireplace, which serves both cooking and heating purposes and emits smoke from wood and other biomass fuel. Domestic smoke pollution is considerable because dwellings are ill-ventilated and without chimnies. The selected sample comprised of 6 groups-25 subjects each of 3 exposure levels to domestic smoke pollution amongst smokers and non-smokers. All the spirometric tests (FVO, FEV1 and FMEF 25-75) were performed in a standard way as recommended by American Thoracic Society in Snowbird Meeting in 1979. Variation of age, height, arm-span and weight between the three different levels of exposure to domestic smoke in both the smokers and non-smokers were compared and results revealed no significant variation in all the variables mentioned above. There was a fall of mean FVC, FEV1 and FMEF 25-75 as duration of exposure increased. This decline was found to be statistically significant amongst the smokers but not amongst the non-smokers. Similar results was found even after adjusting for age & height.