4-P-1
AIR POLLUTION AND RESPIRATORY
DISEASES IN CHILDREN
Bhandari N.R.
Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India
The term air
pollution is applied where there is an excessive concentration of foreign
matter in the outdoor atmosphere is harmful to human being. Such a polluted
atmosphere is a source of bacterial, viral, organic, inorganic & gaseous
agents which can affect the Respiratory System, More than 100 contaminats have
been identified, which are grouped into air & gaseous pollutants, from sources
like vehicles, combustion, industrial processes etc. Major respiratory diseases
associated with air pollution are chronic bronchitis, allergic disorders, ARI,
asthama & lung cancers. Children are more vulnerable to air borne pollution
due to narrower airways, rapid breathing, and more outdoor movement.
Leakage to toxic
gases from factories can produce toxic damage to lungs leading to irritation,
pulmonary oedema, chemical pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliteranse, necrosis &
even death. Symptoms include chocking sensation, cough, air hunger and sense of
compression in chest.
In a study of 3000
children exposed to a toxic gas (MIC) at Bhopal, pulmonary function tests
showed significantly lower values for mean FVC, as compared to control group,
suggestive, of small airway obstruction, on long term follow up, progressive
airway obstructive disease pattern was detected.
X-rays showed
pneumonitis, emphysema, emphysema, collapse, fibrosis pulmonary opacties &
intersticial pulmonary oedema. Preventive measures include, keeping away the
child from smokers, environmental health education, pollution monitoring &
public awareness.