Evaluation of cardiopulmonary function and respiratory health symptoms of adults residing or working near landfill site in Lagos state

Abstract

Background/Objective: Emissions of poisonous gases and air pollution from landfill sites negatively impact the body systems especially the cardiopulmonary system of individuals living close to them resulting in various medical conditions. This study evaluated and compared the cardiopulmonary functions and respiratory health symptoms of adults residing/working near a landfill site with those in a non-landfill community in Lagos State.

Method: Two hundred and fifty-nine adults (134 male and 125 female) were recruited for this study through a multi-stage random sampling technique. One hundred and fifty-two of them were adults residing or working near Olusosun-Ojota-Oregun landfill site and 107 were the age and gender matched adults residing in Ikorodu far from a landfill site. Their cardiopulmonary function parameters were assessed using a digital blood pressure monitor (Omron M6, Japan) to obtain the blood pressure and heart rate values while spirometer was used to obtain pulmonary parameter values. Their respiratory health symptoms were evaluated using the Medical Research Council Questionnaire. Their demographic and physical characteristics were also collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistical analysis was at 95% confidence interval and the level of statistical significance was set at p less than 0.05.

Results: Participants who reside or work near landfill site had significantly lower Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEVi) (p=0.025), Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (p=0.011) and FEVi/FVC ratio (P=0.013) than the participants who reside far from the landfill site. They also had a significantly higher Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p=0.01) than the participants who reside far from the landfill site. There was a significant difference in the presence of increased chest tightness (p=0.003) between the participants who reside or work near landfill site and those who do not. Participants who have resided near landfill site for more than 10 years had significantly lower Forced vital capacity (FVC) (p=0.044) than those who have resided for less than 10 years. Presence of increased chest tightness was significantly associated (p=0.038) with the duration of exposure to landfill site. 

Conclusion: This study established that individuals who reside/work near landfill sites are at higher risks of having compromised cardiopulmonary functions which may worsen with increased duration of stay. It is therefore recommended that there should be public awareness campaign on the hazards of residing or working near a landfill site and the Government should enact policies that will prevent people from erecting buildings for residential or commercial purposes near a landfill site.