Comparative Health Risk Assessment for Environmental Pollution in North Chennai, India

Ravi P. Shankar, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
Kalpana Balakrishnan, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
Sankar Sambandam, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
Padmavathi Ramaswami, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute

This study examines the impact of environmental pollution in North Chennai, where there are several industries causing severe environmental degradation. Of the three areas under study, respiratory symptoms and disorders are significantly high in people living in the industrial area. These are high in younger and elder age groups. Vector borne diseases are also high in this area due to lack of drainage and proper solid waste disposal system. There is no significant difference between the disorders associated with socioeconomic status and nutrition, even though they are on a high note. Fluorosis is high in an area, which is away from the industrial zone where the ground water is contaminated. The study signifies that the odds of having respiratory illnesses are high in a polluted area versus less polluted area.