Authors : P.M. Patil
Page Nos : 120-127.
Description :
Biomass fuel such as wood, plant residues and cow dung especially used for cooking and heating purposes. The typical Indian household life revolves around the cooking area and Indian women spent much of the time there. For daily cooking Indian housewife spent on an average more than 6 hours in the kitchen for cooking food (morning and evening). During her lifetime she is exposed to biomass fuel for 30 to 40 yrs. The type of house, location of kitchen and type of fuel used play a significant role on women health. The smoke released due to incomplete combustion of unprocessed solid biomass fuel contains high volume and number of health damaging air borne pollutants such as(PM) respirable particulate matter PM10, CO, NO2, SO2, formaldehyde and other organic compounds. Prolong exposure to such air born pollutants have adverse effect on the respiratory system of women which causes COPD. COPD is the inflammation and swelling of the lining of the airways that leads to narrowing and obstruction of the airways. In rural areas, most common cause of COPD is air pollution.To study the COPD, in Padmale village of Sangli districts, 100 women were selected.50 women using chulla (subjects) and 50 women using LPG (control) were selected. All women were interviewed and information was collected on several factors associated with COPD including age, height, weight. Spirometry was performed in 100 subjects using chulla and LPG. COPD is diagnosed considering spirometry parameters such as forced expiratory volume/1 second (FEV1%) and ratio of forced expiratory volume1 second and forced vitalcapacity (FEV1/FVC%). If FEV1% <70% then there is COPD. In the present study we found out of 50 women who were exposed to biomass smoke 13 women(26%) were having reduced FEV1%.
