Abstract

The communities living close to the chimneys of thermal power plants are exposed to the toxic effects of sulfur dioxide, which causes respiratory system symptoms, worsen existing lung diseases, and causes decline in respiratory function. In this survey ,spirometry is used to detect aberrant lung function in people who are exposed to injurious agent. Objective: To evaluate the respiratory functions of the residents around the thermal power plant in central India. Material and Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of a tertiary care hospital and medical college situated in the central India. In this study, 102 individuals enrolled in case group and 102 individuals enrolled in control group. Results: Significantly greater proportion of individuals in study group had chest tightness (p-value = 0.001) and repeated cough > 1 year (p-value = 0.007). However, the groups did not differ significantly in terms of productive cough (p-value = 0.104). For chest tightness, significantly greater proportion of individuals in study group than control group were aged > 65 years (p-value = 0.027). For repeated cough >1 year, significantly greater proportion of individuals in study group than control group were aged > 65 years (p- value = 0.041). Overall, the mean FEV1 (p-value = 0.001), FVC (p-value = 0.019), and FEF25-75% (p-value < 0.0001) were significantly higher among individuals in control group than study group. Conclusion: Spirometric findings are affected by living within the vicinity of a coal-fired thermal power plant. Particularly, all spirometric parameters are affected, suggesting obstructive and restrictive diseases

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