Energy expenditure of cycle rickshaw pullers in different places in India.

The cycle rickshaw is a popular transportation device. The aim of the study was to assess workload of cycle rickshaw pullers--physiological and subjective at four different places in India. Subjects were instructed to pull a cycle rickshaw with two passengers, for 20 min.

Exposure to vehicular pollution and assessment of respiratory function in urban inhabitants.

Particulate matter less than PM(10) and aromatic chemicals formed during incomplete combustion of organic matter are major environmental pollutants because of their toxic potential. The present study reports on the respiratory morbidity pattern of people exposed to auto exhaust as a result of the traffic load consisting of three varieties of vehicles (heavy, medium, and light) at three different points: North (B), South (E), and Central (C) regions of Kolkata, India. Particle size distribution was analyzed by an Anderson cascade impactor and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by sorbent tube and capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detector.