Air Pollution and Respiratory Morbidity in an urban Area of Nigeria

Over the past two decades there has been increasing interest in studies of air pollution and its effects on human.The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and to relate these measures to the degree of air pollution in an urban area (Sapele) and to establish a relationship between peak flow rate and the anthropometric measurements among the respondents in an urban area.Four hundred respondents were administered on the frequency and duration of cough, production of phlegm (viscid mucous secreted in abnormal quantities in respiratory passages and sputum) (saliva discharge from respiratory passages), shortness of breath and occurrence of chest illness.The expiratory flow rate was recorded in a standing position using a mini-Wright peak flow meter (Clements Clarke-London UK).Anthropometric measurements; weight and height were also done.