Impact of Exposure of Chemical Fumes on Blood Pressure and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Industrial Workers of Faisalabad

Objectives: 1. To determine the impact of duration of exposure to industrial chemical fumes on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and blood pressure of the industrial workers. 2. To find out the association between changes in blood pressure and PEFR due to exposure to industrial chemical fumes in these subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad. The study participants were 151 males working in the chemical industries. The study was approved by institutional ethical committee and informed consent was taken from the participants. Free camp was arranged for three days in September 2020 in the industrial area of Faisalabad. Thorough history of exposure to chemicals was taken using structured proforma. PEFR values were recorded using Wrights handheld peak flow meter. Blood pressure was taken by auscultatory method using mercury sphygmomanometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly raised with increase in duration of exposure.  PEFR levels were significantly declined with increase in duration of exposure to chemicals. Significant negative association was noted between diastolic blood pressure and PEFR (p value = 0.003). Negative correlation was observed between PEFR and systolic Blood pressure, however it was not statistically significant (p value = 0.92). Conclusions: PEFR decreased while Systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly with increase in the duration of exposure to chemicals. There was a significant negative correlation between PEFR and diastolic blood pressure while there was no association between PEFR and systolic blood pressure.

The Multi-accentual Language of Children as Border Crossers in Contemporary Literature

This qualitative study focuses on the effects of adult discursive practices on language, consciousness, identity formation and development of worldview of children as presented in contemporary literature. To gain the objectives of the study, three literary texts, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Road to Nab End by William Woodruff and Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan, have been analyzed and interpreted using van Djik’s socio-cognitive methodological framework of micro and macro analysis in the context of language and linguistics. The analysis and interpretation of the texts, at the local and global level of discourse, is based on the Social Constructionist perspective with an emphasis on the children’s understanding of self/other, and the world and reality around them in the prevalent socio-political context, with respect to the dialogic process of meaning making between children and adults. Based on the analysis of language and discourse in the selected text, critical insights are drawn as conclusion, and these refer to adult discourse, which is marked by cultural, religious and political factors as its markers, poses cognitive borders for child’s understanding of his/her identity and social position in society. Moreover, adult rationale for war, violence, extremism and genocide not only confuse children’s concept of reality but has severe psychological, physical and cognitive consequences for their normal course of development. In conclusion, the adult responsibility towards children not only pertains to their physical care and protection but also to their psychological and cognitive growth and development into healthy and developed minds, which can lead the world towards a constructive future.