Spirometric evaluation of the pulmonary functions in the petrol pump workers of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Background: With rapid urbanization and economic development, occupational health hazards have grown as one of the major public health challenges. Many groups in the society are at greater risk of developing adverse consequences owing to their working environment, one such group is the petrol pump workers who by virtue of their occupation are continously exposed to the noxious chemical compounds present in gasoline. Hence, this study was undertaken to find out the effects of gasoline vapors on pulmonary function tests among the petrol pump fuel filling attendants working at various petrol pumps of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India. Methods: Forty non-smokers, non-alcoholic adult males working as petrol pump workers for more than 3 years were considered as the study group. Forty matched healthy males of the institute served as the controls. The Pulmonary functions were assessed using computerized spirometer. Mean±SD values for each parameter were determined for both the study and control groups and compared using an unpaired 't' test. Results: A significant reduction (p<0.05) in FVC, FEV 1 , FEF25-75%, PEFR was found in the study group (Petrol pump workers) as compared to the controls, but the mean values of FEV 1 /FVC (%) were statistically not significant between the two groups. Conclusions: This study concludes that the petrol pump workers are at greater risk to develop pulmonary impairment (predominantly restrictive pattern of lung disease) with time and also, sensitizes for the need of medical surveillance and implementation of occupational safety programs to prevent work-related morbidities.