EFFECT OF WOOD SMOKE (BIOMASS) ON SOME LUNG FUNCTION TESTS, CARDIOVASCULAR PARAMETERS AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF WOMEN IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
EFFECT OF WOOD SMOKE (BIOMASS) ON SOME LUNG FUNCTION TESTS, CARDIOVASCULAR PARAMETERS AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF WOMEN IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2005-10
Authors
AKOR-DEWU, Maryam Baraka
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Wood smoke is a complex mixture of substance produced during the combustion
of wood. The major emissions from wood stoves are carbon monoxide, organic gases,
particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur. Toxic compounds as well as
carcinogenic substances are also produced like benzopyrenes, aldehydes, phenols, cresols
etc.
Irritants of the lungs like oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, phenols, particulate
particles cause inflammation of the air passages inevitably causing/leading to obstruction
of the lungs and other more severe effects.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wood smoke on some lung
function test, cardiovascular parameters and haematological indices in women in Zaria,
Nigeria.
This study was conducted on 60 female subjects grouped into 2, Group 1 (control
group) n = 30 were women that used other sources of fuel for cooking. Group 2 (study
group) n = 30 were women that work as cooks in restaurants and use wood as a source of
fuel. They were all matched for age and height.
Cardiovascular parameters investigated were blood pressure, pulse rate and mean
arterial blood pressure. The Mean + SEM of systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the
two group (gp 1 & 2) were 113.67+ 2.65 and 111.17+ 3.44 mmHg and 76.00+2.15 and
75.00 + 2.46 mmHg respectively. Mean arterial blood pressure were 89.78+ 1.86 and
87.06+ 2.69 mmHg for the two groups and pulse rate was 75.60+ 1.29 and 77.93 + 1.56
beats/men respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in cardiovascular
parameters between the two groups (P> 0.05).
6
Haematological indices such as packed cell volume for the two groups were
41.53+ 0.60 and 41.43 + 0.76. Haemoglobin concentration 13.84+0.20 and 13.81+ 0.25
for group 1 and 2 respectively. The mean + SEM of Differential white blood cell count,
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and Eosinophils for the two groups were 59.43+
0.57 and 59.03+ 0.55, 31.87+0.67 and 32.50+ 0.79, 6.47+ 0.21 and 6.47+ 0.25, and 3.04+
0.26 and 3.10+ 0.28 respectively. There were no significant difference found between
the two groups (of the respective parameters) P > 0.05. The Mean +SEM of Respiratory
function tests such as peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) predicted and actual were 3.96+
0.10 and 3.88+ 0.04, 4.87+ 0.13 and 4.43+ 0.12 respectively for the two groups. The
Mean + SEM of forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent (FEV1%) ratio was found
to be 81.83+ 1.33 and 78.39+ 1.61 for group 1 and 2 respectively.
There was no significant statistical difference in predicted peak expiratory flow
rate and forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent ratio between the two groups (P >
0.05). There was a significant difference in actual peak expiratory flow rate between the
two groups (P<0.05).
This result indicates that women using biomass fuel (wood) are more liable to
have reduced pulmonary functions than women using kerosine or gas as shown by the
reduction in PEFR.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
AWARD OF MSC (HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY)
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY,
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
EFFECT,, WOOD SMOKE,, LUNG FUNCTION TESTS,, CARDIOVASCULAR PARAMETERS,, HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES,, WOMEN IN ZARIA,, NIGERIA.