SEASONAL CHANGES IN RESPIRATORY HEALTH STATUS OF ROAD-SIDE VENDORS IN INDUSTRIAL CITY GAJRAULA

Abstract

Traffic and industrial emission generate air pollutants which have been associated with respiratoryhealth symptoms of human beings. Although there is positive association between air pollutionand respiratory health, but the degree of association among different seasons varies due to thecomposition of different air pollutants. Present studies have been carried out to monitor and recordthe particulate and gaseous air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and SO2) in ambient air at IndraChowk, Gajraula (U.P.) during winter and rainy seasons. The level of PM2.5, NO2 and SO2 had beenfound significantly higher during winter as compared to the rainy season. Due to higher level ofair pollutants in ambient air, the incidence of respiratory diseases increased in winter seasons. Thesymptoms of cough, phlegm, headache and eye irritation had been found significantly higher inthe road-side venders during winter months as compared to other seasons of the year. However,their blood oxygen saturation had been recorded significantly higher during the rainy months.