Analysis of lung function and respiratory symptoms in brass/metal industrial workers of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract

The job demands of some of the industries have been reported to be hazardous to the health and safety of workers. Workplace environmental hazards or occupational hazards are a globally major cause of disability and mortality among the working population. The present study was done to analyze the effect of exposure to metal dust on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms. The study population selected as cases were 200 male mill workers working for at least 1-year duration (direct exposure) in the age group of 20-50 years, and controls were 200 age- and gender-matched male participants without any history of occupational or environmental exposure. A complete history was taken. Spirometry was done. Spirometric parameters studied were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), ratio of FEV1 and FVC, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). The spirometry data and baseline characteristics of the participants were compared using unpaired t-test. The mean age of the participants of the study group and the control group was 42.3 years and 44.1 years, respectively. The majority of the study population belonged to the age group of 41-50 years. The mean FEV1 value among participants of the study group and control group was 2.69 and 2.13, respectively. The mean FVC value among participants of the study group and control group was 3.18 and 3.63, respectively. The mean FEV1/FVC value among participants of the study group and control group was 84.59% and 86.22%, respectively. The mean PEFR value among the study group and control group was 7.78 and 8.67, respectively. While analyzing statistically, mean lung functional tests were significantly lowered among the study group. About 69.5% of the participants of the study group thought it to be essential for making safety measures a necessity. The present study concluded that mean lung functional tests were significantly lowered among the study group. Despite the use of face mask, lung function abnormality was present in mill workers.