Particulate Matter Associated Lung Function Decline in Brick Kiln Workers of Jalalpur Jattan, Pakistan

Among air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is one of the most common causes of respiratory diseases in humans all over the world and has become a major problem in developing countries of South Asia such as Pakistan, India and Nepal. A survey based research was conducted to find out respiratory health effects of PM on brick kiln workers in Jalalpur-Jattan, Gujrat, Pakistan. Lung functions of brick kilns workers (n=156) were examined by using spirometery, and by recording forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC (FEV1%) during working hours. FVC and FEV1 were found to be significantly lower than predicted for brick workers thereby suggesting restrictive or obstructive pattern of disease. Average concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in ambient air of each section of brick kilns were found to be above the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) values which can cause pulmonary diseases. These findings of lung function decline in brick workers may suggest prevalence of occupational lung diseases.