Analysis of breath carbon monoxide among urban automobile drivers
Journal Title: National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology - Year 2018, Vol 8, Issue 6
Abstract
Background: Air pollution caused by automobiles can pose serious health hazard due to urbanization. Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the six criteria for air pollution related to urbanization. Urban drivers are occupationally at risk of exposure to CO. Aims and Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the levels of CO in breath among the exposed group of urban automobile drivers and to compare breath CO levels among various group of drivers based on their years of experience or duration of exposure. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of breath sample for the presence of CO was conducted on automobile drivers (n = 101) using different type of motor vehicles in urban Chennai using breath CO analyzer (Vitalograph 29700). Mean CO levels were compared among groups using ANOVA. Proportion in groups was assessed by χ2 /Fisher’s exact test. Results: The mean CO of the breath analysis was 2.45 parts per million (ppm) which corresponds to the mean carboxyhemoglobin of 0.68%. Exhaled breath CO was 3–4 ppm in 22.8% of the drivers. 8.9% of the drivers had exhaled breath CO above 9 ppm. Statistically significant difference was observed between duty hours and exhaled breath CO (P < 0.01). Drivers who were smokers had a significantly higher breath CO (P < 0.00). Drivers who used gas as fuel were having statistically significant higher breath CO (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CO is potential environmental toxin of air due to vehicle exhaust. Drivers are constantly exposed, which is evident by our report
Authors and Affiliations
Chitra M, Baskara Amsath Raja R, Semmal Syed Meerasa
Evaluation of patterns and predictors of off-label prescribing of antidepressants in psychiatry at a tertiary care hospital - An analytical cross-sectional study
Background: Off-label drug prescribing is commonly seen all medical fields including psychiatry. A regular auditing and publishing of off-label drug prescribing is important as it provides strong scientific evidence for...
Effectiveness of relaxation therapy on psychological variables among the elderly in old-age homes - A pilot study
Background: Aging is an inevitable developmental phenomenon even with best nutrition and health care. Consequently, changes occur in the physical, psychological, hormonal, and social realms besides others. The mental dis...
Comparative analysis of sympathetic nervous system activity in pre‑menopausal and post-menopausal women
Background: Post-menopausal women suffer from various complications like autonomic dysfunction which predisposes them to cardiovascular morbidity. Decline in estrogen levels after menopause is associated with increased c...
High-dose cytarabine-associated cerebellar toxicity: A case report
High-dose arabinoside cytarabine is used as an effective regimen for post-remission acute leukemia and refractory leukemia treatment. Most commonly used regimen is 3 g/m2 IV over 1-3 h q12 h for a total of 8-12 doses. M...
Evaluation of auditory evoked response among type-II diabetic individuals in central India
Background: The Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia, as a result of damaged beta cell function, along with increase insulin resistance, either at receptor or at postreceptor levels. Neuropath...