Authors : Shivani Agarwal, Anish Bhardwaj, Mitasha Singh
DOI : 10.18231/2394-2126.2019.0026
Volume : 6
Issue : 1
Year : 2019
Page No : 109-112
Introduction and Objective: Air pollution exposure contributes to all-cause morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies indicate that short-term exposure to increase in fine particulate matter (PM) concentration triggers negative health effects. PM can penetrate into and retain in the walls of small airways leading to generation of free radicals and triggering intracellular oxidative stress which can cause lung tissue damage. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of short-term ambient air pollution on functional exercise capacity and pulmonary function.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 MBBS students both male and female in the Department of Physiology, ESIC Medical College, Faridabad, from June 2018 to August 2018. FEV1% predicted and 6 minute-walk distance (6MWD) of all the subjects were recorded on two occasions, once when the air quality was poor and second time when air quality was satisfactory. Air Quality Index (AQI) was noted from the official website of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Statistical analysis was done by applying paired t-test.
Results: The mean AQI on bad air quality days was 288.76±44.46 and on satisfactory air quality days was 86.47±8.17. A significant improvement in FEV1% predicted and 6MWD with the improvement in air quality was seen in only 2% and 11% subjects respectively.
Conclusion: Short term ambient air pollution does not affect functional exercise capacity and pulmonary function in young healthy adults. However repeated spells may produce adverse health effects.
Keywords: Air quality index, FEV1% predicted, 6-min walk test.