Abstract
Objectives: Polluted environment at petrol pumps is likely to have adverse effects on health of workers. Petrol filling workers as well as office workers at petrol pumps are likely to have adverse effects on lung function. We wanted to study the actual fact. Methods: Pulmonary function tests were studied in petrol pump workers in Karad city and around. Petrol filling workers (direct exposure group, 48) and petrol pump office workers (indirect exposure group, 12) were included in study. Control group (50) of age matched healthy paramedical workers from KIMS, University was included. Approval from Institutional Ethical Committee was obtained. Informed written consent was taken from each participant. Spirometric lung function test were carried out in department of Physiology. Pulmonary function parameters included were FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in First second of FVC), FEV1% (FEV1 as % of FVC), PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in liters/sec), FEF25-75% (Forced Expiratory Flow Rate during 25 to 75 % of expiration), FEF 0.2-1.2 (Forced Expiratory Flow between 0.2 -1.2 liters of expiration) and MVV (Maximum Voluntary Ventilation). After computing mean and SD of each parameter group comparison was done by using paired t test and ANOVA. Results: Impairment of lung function (Predominantly restrictive type) was found in both the study groups compared to controls. Conclusions: Exposure to polluted air and fumes of petrol/diesel causes lung function derangement in petrol pump workers.
Highlights
Air pollution from various factors is major hazard of rapidly increasing urbanization throughout the world including India
After applying student t test it was found that petrol filling workers (Direct exposure group) and control group were age matched (T=1.962, P=0.0527) and office workers (Indirect exposure group) were age matched with control group (T=1.360,P=0.1788).Anthropometric measurements are shown in table 1
It was suggested that background benzene and air pollutants accounted for this
Summary
Increasing number of vehicles with emission of burnt fuels (petrol and diesel) is major cause of air pollution in most towns and cities. We planned the study where duration of exposure and various parameters of ventilatory lung function were considered. In addition to this we included the office workers of petrol pumps as they are exposed to the fumes indirectly. Pre-employment assessment of lung function is neither done in petrol pump workers nor are they periodically evaluated for effect of exposure to petrol fumes on them. Petrol pump workers are likely to get exposed to such burnt petroleum products from vehicular exhaust
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