Occupational Exposure and Pulmonary Function of Workers of Carpet Industries and Sawmills, Lalitpur, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Most workers of carpet factory and sawmills suffer from non-specific lung diseases and ventilatory disorders. There is so many such industries operative in Lalitpur district and so far not many studies have been reported on pulmonary function in these workers. Method:A brief clinical sheet regarding age, occupational particulars, smoking habits and presence or absence of major complaints was recorded for each worker. Spirometric parameters were recorded using an electronic (MEDSPIROR) spirometer. The groups consisted of control subjects not exposed to industrial dusts (n=50) for each group of workers (carpet factory, n=50 and saw mill, n=50). Result:This study indicated an overall reduction in pulmonary function parameters; in particular FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % in carpet factory workers and FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % in saw mill workers. Comparison of pulmonary function parameters between carpet factories workers and sawmill workers revealed a significant reduction in FEV 1 and MVV in carpet workers. Conclusion:Exposure to cotton dust and wood dust leads to combined type of spirometric deficit revealing obstructive or restrictive lung diseases. Workers exposed to industrial dusts also suffer from various upper or lower respiratory symptoms.

Pulmonary Functions are Impaired among Carpet Factory Workers: A Spirometric Evaluation

“…Our findings of significant reductions in important pulmonary function parameters (FEV 1, FVC, and PEFR) are consistent with past studies. 12,26 We also found that there is significantly elevated FEV 1 /FVC ratio among workers as compared to the controls. 27 We have tried to match the control groups in both age and sex distributions (a total of 118 subjects: 50.8 % and 49.2% controls where as 50% male and 50% female).…”

Respiratory morbidities of jute mill workers in Nepal

“…In another study conducted among 95 workers of a jute mill, chest pain (34.7%), cough with sputum (11.58%), dry cough (7.37%), nasal catarah (3.16%), breathlessness (2.11%) were major respiratory symptoms. 12 Chest tightness was also found in 0.8% of workers and that was not of typical byssinotic symptom. Difficulty in breathing was also found in 2.8% of the workers but not a single case was reported of typical byssinotic chest tightness or difficulty in breathing representing byssinosis.…”

“…7,17 Likewise, all pulmonary function parameters of jute mill workers were found to be significantly reduced except FEV1/FVC. 12 A study on textile mill workers in Bangladesh showed statistically significant low PEFR was identified among workers with symptoms of cough, chronic bronchitis and/or asthma, chest tightness or breathlessness. 18 Exposure of dust and plant source fine particulate matter among Bengali workers had lower PEFR, PFI and VO2 max (maximum oxygen intake) values than controls.…”

Scoping Review: Pengaruh Paparan Debu Kayu terhadap Fungsi Paru Pekerja Pengolahan Kayu

“…Hasil analisis pada penelitian ini didapatkan 3 artikel menyatakan bahwa nilai parameter VEP1 signifikan lebih rendah pada pekerja pengolahan kayu dibanding dengan kontrol. [15][16][17] Hal ini tidak sejalan dengan satu artikel yang di-review. 18 Selain itu, penurunan secara signifikan nilai parameter KVP pada hasil spirometri terbukti pada 2 artikel yang di-review.…”

“…16,18 Nilai rasio VEP1/KVP signifikan lebih rendah pada pekerja pengolahan kayu dibanding dengan kontrol ditunjukkan pada hasil analisis dari 3 artikel. 15,17,18 Satu artikel menunjukkan nilai VEP1/KVP pada pekerja pengolahan kayu sedikit lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan kontrol. 16 Nilai VEP1/KVP yang mengalami sedikit peningkatan ini dapat terjadi karena beberapa kondisi, yaitu pengaruh paparan debu kayu mungkin kurang adekuat terhadap fungsi paru akibat masa kerja yang rendah, yaitu rerata 4 tahun dan usia yang relatif muda rerata 33 tahun.…”