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

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.

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