Effects Of Indoor Air Pollution By Biomass Fuels On Respiratory Functions In Gondar Ethiopia

Poor households in Ethiopia depend heavily on wood, dung, and other biomass fuels forrncooking. Inhalation of pollutants from these fuels may cause deleterious effects on health. Thernobjective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to indoor air pollution from thernuse of biofuels on lung functions and respiratory symptoms in women.rnThe study was conducted at Gondar town (kebele16) 750 kilometers from Addis Ababa betweenrnJune and August 2010. A total of 285 women (200 biomass fuel users, 85 non users) betweenrnages 18 and 59 years (mean age 29.7±9.14 for biomass users and 30.83±11.07 for controls)rnwere selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. All selected subjects were non-smokersrnand used to cook 3-4 hr/ day regularly. Those who cook in open air without kitchen and smokersrnwere excluded from the study. A closed end respiratory symptom questionnaire was administeredrnby a trained laboratory technician at the house where the study participants were cooking. Thernquestionnaire included history of smoking in the family, type of cooking fuel used, and durationrnof cooking and respiratory symptoms experienced, frequency of the signs and symptoms, pastrnillness, etc .rnAll Participants' height and weight were measured in light clothing and with their shoesrnremoved. Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a standard meter while weight wasrnmeasured to the nearest 100 g using Salter scales. Lung function tests (forced vital capacityrn(FVC), forced expiratory volume in the one second (FEV1) of each woman were measured byrnusing a Spiro Pro spirometer and peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) by Wright peak flow meter.rnEach subject was instructed to sit and practice with the instrument, to place the mouthpiece inrnthe mouth keeping the nose closed, to make a maximal inspiratory effort, and to blow out with arnmaximal effort. The test was repeated five times after adequate rest, and results were obtainedrnfrom the spirometer. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one secondrn(FEV1) were derived from best spirogram recorded. Three peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)rnreadings were recorded using Wright peak flow meter and the maximum record was used.rnFEV1% (FVC/FEV1Χ 100) and individual predictive values based on age, sex, body weight,rnstanding height were calculated by using predicted formula. The Carbon monoxide (CO) levelrnused to assess indoor air pollution from biomass fuels was measured in each kitchen whilerncooking by using digital CO meter Metavico/09 as per instruction on the manual and the effect ofrnthis pollution on the women’s respiratory function was analyzed.rnThe prevalence of wheeze (OR=8.11), phlegm (OR=17.1), bronchitis (OR=2.08) and asthmarn(OR=7.01) were significantly higher in the exposed groups relative to the no-exposure group.rnThe mean measured value of ventilatory capacity FVC (2.20± 0.89 for biomass users and 2.62±0rn.89 for controls, p=0.0004); FEV1 (1.67±0 .77 for biomass users and 2.24± 0.82 for controls,rnp=0.0002) and PEFR (181.45± 72.14 for biomass users and 243.52±98.13 for controls,rnp=0.0003) were found to be significantly reduced in exposed group compared with controls andrnpredicted values. Mean indoor CO level (238± 40 ppm) were higher than Occupational Safetyrnand Health Administration (OSHA) exposure limit (101-200 ppm) and negatively correlated withrnreduction in the mean lung function parameters. It is concluded that indoor air pollution hadrndeleterious effect on the respiratory function of women. The study recommends that betterrnventilated houses with windows, separate kitchens be used and that exposure level may bernlimited by using improved stoves rather than the usual 3-stone-fire stove and that there must bernintervention that educates women about behavioral possibilities to reduce the exposure forrnthemselves and their children to cooking firernKey words- Indoor air pollution, Carbon monoxide, Lung function parameters, Respiratory symptoms

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