Abstract
Automobile mechanics are exposed to organic and inorganic substances present in petrol and diesel. Chronic cough, wheezing and breathlessness have been reported in automobile mechanics. However there is limited published data regarding the dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in automobile mechanics. Hence we undertook this study. We studied the dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in a group of automobile mechanics. This study was conducted in a motor vehicle showroom in Mangalore.70 employees between the age group 30 to 40 years who were working as mechanics for more than one year without any pre existing lung disease were included as case group in the study. 70 employees of the same age group of the same company were taken as control group. Control group used to work in their showroom in an air conditioned environment and were not exposed to any dust and fumes. Employees who had per-existing lung diseases, smokers who had chest wall deformities, neuromuscular disease, severe obesity, previous thoracic surgery were excluded from the study. Spirometry was performed after informed consent in all these subjects. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR, FEF 25-75 was recorded and compared with normal predicted value. Out of 70 subjects 12(17.14%) had restrictive lung disease among whom 4 were moderate and 8 were mild restrictive lung disease.FEF 25 -75 was decreased in 6 subjects(8.57%) out of whom 1 was moderate and 5 were mild. Dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in automobile mechanics include restrictive lung disease and small airways obstruction.
Highlights
Rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, use of motor vehicles, nuclear energy program are the major causes of environmental pollution in the world
The present study aims to evaluate the dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in automobile mechanics continuously exposed to petrol/ diesel vapour every day for more than one year in a major automobile service workshop in South India
Material and Methods Seventy automobile mechanics in the age group of 20 to 40 years, with no previous history of respiratory disease and minimum one year exposure to automobile exhaust in the workplace were included in the study along with seventy age matched controls who were working in air conditioned environment and were not exposed to any dust and fumes
Summary
Urbanisation, use of motor vehicles, nuclear energy program are the major causes of environmental pollution in the world. Experimental studies indicate that airborne contaminants lead to injury to airways and lung parenchyma in subjects who are exposed to it[1,2]. Prolonged exposure to air pollution causes bronchoconstriction, mucosal irritation and alveolar swelling leading to obstructive and restrictive disorders of lungs[5].
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