Authors : P.M. Patil
Page Nos : 227-232
Description :
In majority of rural areas biomass fuel such as wood, cow dung and crop residue is easily available. Poor families use these biomass fuels for cooking and heating purposes. Majority of poor families lives in Kutcha type of houses. In kutcha type of houses kitchens are not properly ventilated. Incomplete combustion of biomass fuel release smoke which contains high volume and number of air pollutants such as respirable particulate matter PM10, CO, NO2, SO2, formaldehyde and other organic compounds. Prolonged exposure to such air born pollutants, have adverse effect on the respiratory system of women which causes reduced lung function.
There is strong relation between reduced lung function and Body Mass Index. To study relation between reduced lung function and Body Mass Index, total 100 women were selected from rural area of Sangli District Kakadwadi. Out of 100 women 50 women using chulla and 50 women using LPG were selected. Women using chulla were considered as Subject and women using LPG were considered as Control. All women were underwent spirometery to detect COPD. Spirometric parameter, FEV1%, FVC%, FEV1%/FVC% were recorded. Body Mass Index of all women was calculated. Body Mass Index was categoried in four groups (Underweight <20kg/m2, Normal Weight 20.0-25.0kg/m2, Overweight 25.0-30.0kg/m2, Obese >30.0 kg/m2) In this study we found that out of 50 women who were exposed to biomass fuel smoke 19 women were suffering from Obstructive type COPD (FEV1%<70%). In subject women Body Mass Index in underweightcategory, normal weight category, overweight category and obese category was lower than control group.
