title: Pulmonary function status of Kolkata inhabitants of different economic class during rainy and winter seasons.
abstract: The pulmonary function status of the Kolkata inhabitants was evaluated during rainy and winter seasons. The pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the 1st study was carried out in the months of July to August when the environment is pollution free and the 2nd study was carried out between November to January when the environment is polluted. In the 1st study a total of 162 (male-88, female-74) inhabitants were investigated and again they were repeated in same way in the 2nd study. To evaluate the respiratory function status, Slow Vital Capacity (SVC), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) were recorded. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec as the percentage of FVC (FEV1%), forced expiratory flow at 200mL-1200 mL, 25-75% and 75-85% were calculated from the same tracings. Males were having higher mean PFT values compared to females because of sex difference. In the 2nd study PFT values were significantly lower compared to 1st study. According to different durations of stay category the PFT values were significantly reduced in winter season. The regression lines showed decrement as the duration of stay on that area was increased and it was more in 2nd study compared to 1st study. In both studies the PFT values found higher in high economic class of people. Between the same economic class of people PFT values were significantly lower in winter season. Respiratory impairments were also found higher during winter and males were having more impairment compared to females. Respiratory impairments in both sexes were more in winter and low economic class of people had maximum respiratory impairments. In rainy season and winter season the respiratory impairments were less in non-smokers. Males had more respiratory function impairments compared to females.
authors.affiliation: Regional Occupational Health Centre (Eastern), Indian Council of Medical Research, Block-DP, Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700 091.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nandy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D055815:Young Adult