Biomass fuel (BMF) is the major energy source in developing country as a cooking and heating fuel. Its use causes indoor air pollution due to inefficient burning on open fire and traditional stove. This fact plays a main role in development of chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). Aim: To evaluate the impact of BMF on the respiratory health of people living in a mountain village of Nepal not exposed to traffic and industrial pollution. Methods: All the dwellers with an age > 14 years were selected, 105 subjects (51F, 54M), aged 14-82 years were evaluated by spirometry (due to technical problems, the reversibility test was not performed), and a questionnaire about smoke habits, kitchen detail and energy sources. Results: Only 4,8% (2F, 2M) of subjects were smokers, 92,5% (49F, 51M) were never smokers. The prevalence of AO (ERS criterion, FEV1/FVC % of predicted value <88% for men, <89% for women) was 26,6% (17F, 11M): 78,5 % mild severity, 10,7% moderate, 10,7% moderately severe. All subjects with AO were no smokers, exposed to BMF, living in traditional houses (85% with chimney, but only <50% since >10 years) and most of them were women (61%) working at home. Conclusions: A high percentage of AO is demonstrated in non smokers not exposed to traffic and industrial pollution but with a long term exposure to domestic BMF smoke. The percentage is higher in householder women living in traditional houses. In these subjects the probability of COPD is higher than expected in the general population (4-10%). To the best of our knowledge this is the first study on respiratory health in no smoker subjects with different degrees of indoor pollution exposure, living in an area free from outdoor pollution. In fact in the previous studies the subjects were also exposed to other risk factors such as cigarette smoking and/or traffic exhaust fumes.
Prevalence of airflow obstruction (AO) in Nepal rural population exposed to indoor but not outdoor pollution
MANDOLESI, Gaia;POMIDORI, Luca;COGO, Annaluisa
2011
Abstract
Biomass fuel (BMF) is the major energy source in developing country as a cooking and heating fuel. Its use causes indoor air pollution due to inefficient burning on open fire and traditional stove. This fact plays a main role in development of chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). Aim: To evaluate the impact of BMF on the respiratory health of people living in a mountain village of Nepal not exposed to traffic and industrial pollution. Methods: All the dwellers with an age > 14 years were selected, 105 subjects (51F, 54M), aged 14-82 years were evaluated by spirometry (due to technical problems, the reversibility test was not performed), and a questionnaire about smoke habits, kitchen detail and energy sources. Results: Only 4,8% (2F, 2M) of subjects were smokers, 92,5% (49F, 51M) were never smokers. The prevalence of AO (ERS criterion, FEV1/FVC % of predicted value <88% for men, <89% for women) was 26,6% (17F, 11M): 78,5 % mild severity, 10,7% moderate, 10,7% moderately severe. All subjects with AO were no smokers, exposed to BMF, living in traditional houses (85% with chimney, but only <50% since >10 years) and most of them were women (61%) working at home. Conclusions: A high percentage of AO is demonstrated in non smokers not exposed to traffic and industrial pollution but with a long term exposure to domestic BMF smoke. The percentage is higher in householder women living in traditional houses. In these subjects the probability of COPD is higher than expected in the general population (4-10%). To the best of our knowledge this is the first study on respiratory health in no smoker subjects with different degrees of indoor pollution exposure, living in an area free from outdoor pollution. In fact in the previous studies the subjects were also exposed to other risk factors such as cigarette smoking and/or traffic exhaust fumes.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
