Background

Biomass burning presents significant environmental and health problems worldwide. Health effects on broilers (as an animal model) exposed to intensive maize stover burning (MSB) were studied. Carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were estimated during the MSB season. Sixty apparently healthy broilers from 12 farms were included for blood-gas analysis, bilirubin, and liver enzyme analysis. In addition, histopathological changes of the lung, liver, and heart were investigated.

Results

Highly significant differences for CO and PM2.5 levels, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) values during MSB season were found compared to burning free events which resulted in higher incidence of blood coagulation and cardiovascular diseases risk. Highly significant elevations of liver enzymes were verified during MSB. Respiratory function was significantly decreased due to airway obstruction accompanied by severe tissue damage including pulmonary fibrosis (39%) and metaplasia. Pulmonary and hepatic blood vessel embolisms were indicative of systemic embolic phenomena.

Conclusion

The study highlighted the substantial health risk and a threat to air quality from one season exposure to leftover straw burning. Agriculture waste burning should be banned by legislation to restore the environment and protect health.