Health and Coal Fly Ash Exposure of Residents around a Petrochemical Industry

Abstract

The purposed of this cross-sectional study was to compare the health status of residents around a petrochemical industry. The study compared a population of 208 people living around a petrochemical Disease Control Journal Vol 37 No. 4 Oct- Dec 2011 Health and Coal Fly Ash Exposure of Residents around a Petrochemical Industry industry with 204 people living far from petrochemical industry. Data was collected from June to August 2010, using an interview questionnaire, spirometry, blood collected for liver function, kidney function and complete blood count. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and Odds ratio. The results revealed that 33.7 % of study population exposed to flying ash, had respiratory, eye and skin symptoms (62.5, 46.6 and 30.3%). The abnormal sprirometry, chest x-ray, anemia and kidney function (Creatinine) were 17.4, 5.8,19.7 and 5.8 percent. The compared populations were never exposed to flying ash, they had abnormal symptoms of respiratory system, eye and skin (38.2, 27.9 and 23.5%). The sprirometry, chest x-ray, anemia, kidney function (Creatinine) were abnormal 21.2, 11.0, 15.2 and 2.9 percent respectively. The study population were Respiratory symptoms (OR=2.69, 95%CI=1.81-4.01) and eyes symptoms (OR=2.25, 95%CI=1.50-3.39) higher than the compared group. This study suggested that populations residing near petrochemical plants were at a higher risk of specific health problems than those groups living further away from such plants. Health authorities, private sector, and community should enhance measure, specially surveillance and monitor health status and fly ash espoused of people around petrochemical industry