Comparison of Pulmonary Functions in Residents Living Around 5 km Radius of Oil Refinery: Duration of Exposure

Abstract

Background: Petroleum refineries are large industrial installations that are responsible for the emission of several pollutants into the atmosphere, exposed to these pollutants formed from crude oil has shown some effects on pulmonary functions. Oil refinery plants refine crude oil in different products from petrol to tar which also involves air pollution in surroundings. Aim and Objectives: The present study was planned to assess the pulmonary functions in residents living around a refinery who are continuously exposed to the particles generated from refinery and effects of duration of exposure. Material and Methods: The present study was done on 200 residents who were categorized into four groups containing 50 in each depending on duration of exposure, 50 healthy non-smoker males from the campus served as control group. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) parameters: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in First Second (FEV1), Forced Expiratory Volume in First Second by Forced Vital Capacity Ratio (FEV1/FVC%), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Mean Forced Expiratory Flow between the 25% and 75% of the FVC (FEF25-75%), Forced Expiratory Volume in Third Second (FEV3), Forced Expiratory Volume in Third Second by Forced Vital Capacity Ratio (FEV3/FVC%), Forced Expiratory Volume in Sixth Second (FEV6) were analyzed in all groups and compared by ANOVAs test to test significance. Results: Both respiratory flow rates were decreased in study groups. The results suggest living near an oil refinery was associated with high prevalence of respiratory symptoms due to air pollution from the refinery. Conclusion: These findings contribute to the evidence supporting deleterious effects of air pollution on lung function of residents in a restrictive pattern. The pattern of respiratory impairment changes to mixed type as the duration of exposure increases. Following parameters PFT parameters were checked. Findings showed statistically significant decrease in values of FVC (Litres), FEV1 (Litres), Forced Expiratory Volume Percentage FEV1/FVC %, PEFR (Litres/S), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation [MVV (Litres/ min)), Forced Expiratory Flow Rate during 25% to 75% of expiration] FEF 25-75% (Litres/S), FEV3 (Litres), FEV3/FVC and FEV6 (Litres) in residents when compared to control groups.

Keywords

• duration of exposure
• pulmonary function tests
• residents near oil refinery