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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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19-07-2023 | Pulmonary-Function Tests | Original Article

Influence of indoor volatile organic compounds and its relative respiratory effects among children living in rural biomass cooking households of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Authors: Srinivasan Natarajan, Krishnendu Mukhopadhyay, Dhanasekaran Thangaswamy, Amudha Natarajan, Deep Chakraborty

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause respiratory symptoms among children, a known vulnerable group. Reports on exposures to VOCs and respiratory symptoms among South Indian children living in biomass-using households are not available thus far.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 313 rural children to assess the influence of emitted VOCs on their respiratory health. Standard analytical procedures for VOCs and Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), allied questionnaires, and all ethical considerations were fulfilled in the study.

Results

The increase in VOC concentrations was observed proportional to the amount of burnt biomass fuel in two selected sites in Tamil Nadu (TN) and Andhra Pradesh (AP). Houses cooked for more than 60 min showed a remarkable increase in VOC concentrations and was observed as statistically significant (p < 0.01) in AP households. Among the younger children, the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) values were found significantly higher than comparatively older children in both the sites, TN and AP. However, the trend with respect to FEV1 is statistically significant (p < 0.01) among AP children.

Conclusions

This study reports reduced lung function for a considerable proportion of the VOC-exposed selected children. Based on PFT, the children who were interpreted to be normal were found to be exposed to lesser indoor TVOC concentrations in comparison with the children of the households having restrictive or obstructive impairments. Diagnostic ratios with Benzene/Toluene (B/T) and Xylene/Ethyl benzene (X/E) confirmed the presence of VOCs-emissions from adjacent cooking fuels only. The observed results of this study recommends cleaner cooking fuel-use for better respiratory health among the citizens across the country, which in turn, in line with the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), Government of India.

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Title: Influence of indoor volatile organic compounds and its relative respiratory effects among children living in rural biomass cooking households of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Srinivasan Natarajan
Krishnendu Mukhopadhyay
Dhanasekaran Thangaswamy
Amudha Natarajan
Deep Chakraborty
Publication date: 19-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Pulmonary-Function Tests
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-023-01998-1

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Springer Medicine

Influence of indoor volatile organic compounds and its relative respiratory effects among children living in rural biomass cooking households of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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