Prevalence of restrictive lung disorders in auto rickshaw drivers

Long term exposure to the traffic air pollution is associated with decrease in lung function and increase in respiratory disorders. Traffic air pollution includes a list of pollutants but the major being particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, lead and carbon monoxide. Professional vehicular drivers who spend 8–10 hours daily in traffic pollution are at higher risk of restrictive lung disorders. Long term exposure to ozone produces mainly pulmonary fibrosis which could be associated with decrease in FVC, FEV1. Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the major pollutants and has been associated with restrictive type of lung diseases. Present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of restrictive lung diseases amongst the open cabin auto rickshaw drivers. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), FEV1/FVC %, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of 100 auto rickshaw drivers were recorded as per all the standard norms. These readings were compared with 100 healthy, non drivers, working in offices.

The auto rickshaw drivers showed significant reduction in FVC (P<0.01), FEV1 (P<0.05) and PEFR (P<0.05) where FEV1/FVC% did not show any significant change (P>0.05).

The above findings are suggestive of restrictive lung disorders.