Sopan T. Ingle

The Influence of Workplace Environment on Lung Function of Flour Mill Workers in Jalgaon Urban Center

The Influence of Workplace Environment on Lung Function of Flour Mill Workers in Jalgaon Urban Center: Nilesh D. Wagh, et al. School of Environmental Sciences, North Maharashtra University, India—The workplace environment affects the health of workers. Unhygienic conditions are observed in the workplace environment of flour mills as fine organic flour dust gets airborne in the indoor environment of the flour mills. The present work was undertaken to study the health problems related to the workplace environment of flour mill workers. The results show that flour mill workers are receiving a heavy dose (average exposure concentration, 624 µg/ m3) of flour dust. To determine the impact of flour dust on the lung function of the workers spirometric analysis was conducted. Significant declines in forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were observed in the flour mill workers as compared to expected values. This study reveals reduced lung efficiency of flour mill workers due to excessive exposure to fine organic dust prevalent in the workplace environment. The impairment in lung efficiency was increased with duration of exposure in the flour mill workers. The analysis of questionnaires used to generate information on self‐reported problems reveals that most of the workers were suffering from asthma and respiratory problems. Furthermore, the data shows that 42% of the flour mill workers were having shortness of breath problems, 34% of workers were having frequent coughing, and 19% workers were having respiratory tract irritation. We recommend the compulsory use of personal protective equipment (nose mask) by flour mill workers during working hours. This would help to protect the workers health from the flour dust prevalent in the workplace environment. A regular periodic examination is necessary to measure the impact of particulate matter on the health of the flour mill workers.

Monitoring and respiratory health assessment of the population exposed to cooking fuel emissions in a rural area of Jalgaon District, India.

Indoor air pollution is an ongoing problem in developing countries. Respiratory diseases are common worldwide in rural communities. This study was undertaken to estimate the respirable particulate matter (PM10) concentrations emitted from cooking fuels and their effects on the respiratory health of the rural population of Jalgaon district. The respiratory status of the exposed population was assessed by conducting pulmonary function tests in the study area. The levels of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second were lower, and difficulty in respiration and frequent coughing were more common with higher odds ratios (OR) of 2.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-2.83) and 1.84 (95% CI = 0.95-2.10) in agrowaste-user female subjects. Ventilatory impairment among the agrowaste-user subjects was higher than among users of gas and wood. Difficulty in respiration and frequent coughing were strongly associated in wood-user female subjects as well with ORs of 2.10 (95% CI = 0.85-2.49) and 1.79 (95% CI = 0.91-1.98), respectively. Chest pain was significantly associated in agrowaste- and wood-user female subjects. This study confirms an association between the reductions in lung efficiency with high PM10 exposure in the rural population. The result of this study reveals an association between respiratory diseases symptoms and indoor air quality in the biomass-using rural population of Jalgaon district.

Respiratory impairment in cotton-ginning workers exposed to cotton dust.

Dust generated during the handling and processing of cotton causes ill health of ginning workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among cotton-ginning workers. This study involved 188 workers of 10 cotton-ginning factories. Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) declined significantly with increasing duration of exposure (p < .001) of the cotton-ginning workers. Results of a standard respirator medical evaluation questionnaire indicated that, depending on duration of exposure, 51%–71% of cotton-ginning workers suffered from chest tightness, 55%–62% experienced chest pain, while 33%–42% of the workers reported frequent cough. Blood tests of the workers showed higher values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, eosinophils, and white blood cells when exposure was longer. Byssinosis symptoms were observed among the workers. We recommend regular periodical medical check-ups, compulsory use of personal protective equipment, and proper ventilation at the workplace.

Separation and removal of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ from environmental waste samples by N-benzoyl-n-phenylhydroxylamine

This study was conducted to determine the optimum extraction conditions for the effective separation and removal of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ using N-benzoyl-n-phenylhydroxylamine (BPA) as an analytical reagent. An efficient liquid–liquid extraction method was developed for the separation and removal of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ from environmental waste samples. In this method, BPA was used as a chelating agent and the effect of different parameters– including solvents, pH, stripping agents, extraction time, and the interference of other ions– on the quantitative removal of these metals was investigated. This study demonstrates that chloroform is the most effective solvent for BPA. The maximum extraction of the selected metallic species was found between pH 3 and 5. It was demonstrated that the maximum percentage recovery of the metals can be attained using 1 M HCl as a stripping agent. Optimized conditions of different parameters could be beneficial for industry and environmental laboratories.

Assessment of Daily Noise Exposure and Prevalence of Hearing Loss in the Shopkeepers Working Near National Highway No. 6: A Case Study of Jalgaon City

ABSTRACT Noise monitoring was conducted to evaluate the average noise levels in the shops in the vicinity of National Highway no. 6 (NH-6) passing through the Jalgaon urban center. The shopkeepers working near the highway have a high risk of hearing loss due to road traffic noise exposure. In the current study, estimates are made on typical sound levels prevailing in the workplace environment, and measures are obtained on hearing status of the shopkeepers. The study focused on the shopkeepers working for 10 to 12 hours daily near the highway. Data on self-reported health status was collected by questionnaire and audiometry used to determine hearing threshold at high, medium, and low frequencies. Among the shopkeepers, 87% reported hearing loss and defined at least some difficulty with hearing in one or both ears. The prevalence of audiometric hearing impairment defined as a threshold average greater than 25 dB (A) hearing level was 82% for binaural low-frequency average (250, 500, 1000, and 1500 Hz), 65.5% for binaural midfrequency average (1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 Hz), and 52% for binaural high-frequency average (3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz) in the shopkeepers.

Experimental investigation on phosphate adsorption, mechanism and desorption properties of Mn-Zn-Ti oxide trimetal alloy nanocomposite

ABSTRACT Recently composite metal oxides have gained significant attention to be used as adsorbent because of their synergetic effects. Particularly Manganese containing composite oxides are useful for removal of inorganic oxyacids such as phosphate or arsenate. In present study fabrication of Mn-Zn-Ti Oxide adsorbent for phosphate removal carried out via co precipitation method. Surface properties deduced by TEM, FESEM, EDAX and XRD, revealed nanosized composite material has a porous nature constitute of alloy type mixing of the metals. Size of the nanocomposite found to be as small as 6 nm. Adsorption capacity for phosphate estimated at different pH, time and adsorbent dose by batch mode. In addition desorption properties and thermodynamic study also carried out. Several isotherms and kinetic models applied to observe adsorption properties of the Mn-Zn-Ti Oxide nanocomposite. Adsorption capacity found to be 151 mg/g at pH 6, time 90 min, adsorbent dose 0.20 g/L and phosphate concentration of 200 mg/L. Adsorption data fitted to second order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm. Formation of complex between nanocomposite and phosphate predicted from FTIR and supported by pH kinetic and isotherm studies. Desorption and reusability found to be well maintained over five cycles. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Identification of hot spot and safe zones of ambient air quality in North Maharashtra region, India

The continuous infrastructural and economic development exerted pressure on the environmental conditions of the North Maharashtra region. The air quality of North Maharashtra region was analysed for the identification of hot spots and safe zones of ambient air quality. The result shows air pollution at some part of North Maharashtra region. The levels of particulate matter were above the prescribed limits especially at Bhusawal, Dhule and Jalgaon Urban centres. The traces of polyaromatic hydrocarbons were also observed in the urban centres of study area. The binary ratios of the persistent prevailing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)s show great correlation with the vehicular exhaust in the study region. The higher levels of pollutants in the study region were recorded in the post-monsoon season. The present study is first of its kind in the North Maharashtra region and an attempt has been made to analyse the anthropogenic sources and concentration of air pollutants in the area. The air pollutants reduce the defence system of human body and lead into severe health consequences like damage of lung tissues with escalation in the existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.