ISSN: 2577-4360
Authors: Barun M, Paraksh L, Lava S and Sunil D*
Introduction: Most of the occupational lung diseases are associated with workers exposed to aerosols in the form of dust, fumes and gases within workplace. The stone crusher industry are one of the main source of emission of dust particles in ambient air. The workers engaged in stone processing and quarrying are at risk of developing impaired lung functions due to direct exposure with high concentrated of dust particulates. Therefore, it is important to study the pulmonary function status of this group of workers. Objective: The aims of this study is to compare the pulmonary function among the individuals (workers) exposed to workplace dust and those not exposed residing population nearby stone crusher unit by spirometric evaluation includes forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), ratio of forced expiratory volume in first second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). Methodology: Out of 74 participants, 37 (50%) were stone crusher workers and 37(50%) were non-workers. Among total participate 54.05% were female and 45.95% were male with mean ± SD age in years of participate was 27.87 ± 4.50. The participants performed spirometry in the sitting position by open circuit method. A nose clip was applied to the nose. The participants were instructed to take a full and fast breath in, seal their lips around the mouthpiece tightly and blow as hard and as fast as possible for at least six seconds. Parameters of spirometry FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC were collected in the form of percentage of predicted for age, sex, height, weight and ethnicity. The test were performed three times and best recording were taken for the study. Results: On data analysis there is statistical significance in mean ± SD FEV1 (81.08± 11.86, 81.07±15.74), FVC 99.65±6.8, 99.89±6.11) and insignificance decrease in FEV1/FVC ratio among workers and non- workers respectively. There is high prevalence rate of respiratory illness or symptoms among stone crusher workers than non-workers. The most common symptom are rhinitis 16.2%, cough 6.8%, shortness of breathlessness 4.1% with wheeze 7% and tightness of chest or pain 7% among the workers than control groups who were residing at local area rhinitis 8.6%, cough 6.8%, shortness of breathlessness 0% with wheeze 3% and tightness of chest or pain 4% respectively. Conclusion: Isolated FEV1 reduction among stone crusher workers may be good possible indicator of obstructive pulmonary disease. The decline in pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/ FVC) in stone crusher unit workers may be due to lack of awareness of dust controlling measurement and could be continuously exposure with dust particulates in workplace.
Keywords: Stone crusher workers; Obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV1; Pulmonary function test; Respiratory illness
