Publication: Environmental health effects of brick kilns in Kathmandu valley
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Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Brick kilns operating in Kathmandu valley are known to be a leading cause of air pollution. The main
objective of this study was to assess the effect of brick kilns on environment and human health. This study has been
done at Duwakot VDC in Bhaktapur.
Methods: This study was conducted during brick kilns operating and not operating periods. Different methods were
used for data collection, such as household environmental health survey, school health examination, and air quality
measurement for total suspend particles, particulate matter of size less than 10 microns, Sulphur Dioxide, Oxides of
Nitrogen, and Carbon Monoxide.
Results: A total of 330 individuals were interviewed during household environmental survey and majority of them
expressed about smoke related respiratory discomfort at home and surrounding. Out of 141 school children who
underwent thorough physical health examination, 79 students were from Ganesh Public School (located near to
brick kilns) and 62 were from Nabin English School (far away from brick kilns). Statistically significant high odds
ratios for respiratory problems like tonsillitis (4.17 95% CI 2.05, 8.45) and acute pharyngitis (4.08 95% CI 2.01,
8.33) were observed among the students from Ganesh Public School. Average value of particulate matter of size less
than 10 microns and total suspend particles for the pre operation time was 0.029 mg/m³ and 0.033 mg/m³
respectively whereas, it reached 0.050 mg/m³ and 0.056 mg/m³ respectively during the brick kiln operation time.
Conclusion: The concentration of various air pollutants was higher during the operation of brick kilns at Duwakot.
Similarly, the health status of the school children attending the school close to the vicinity of the brick kilns was
worse compared to the students attending the school away from the brick kilns.
Key words: Environmental Health, Air Pollution, total suspend particles (TSP), particulate matter of size less than
10 microns (PM10), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx ), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Brick Kilns,
Duwakot, Nepal
Description
Joshi SK1, Dudani I2
1Assistant Professor, 2Professor and HOD, Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal