Grain Dust Exposure and its Effect on Pulmonary Function in Load Handling Workers of Grain Storage Godowns

摘要

The workers engaged is storage grain handling are exposed to storage grain dust and suffering from different respiratory problems. In the present study the respiratory function status of the load handling workers (LHW) of grain storage godowns are evaluated by detail static and dynamic pulmonary function tests (PFT). A suitable control group was studied those who have no history of exposure to grain dust. In all age groups the PFT values of control subjects are higher than the LHW. Control non-smokers have higher PFT values compared to the non-smoker workers exposed to grain, dust during their work. The lung volumes and flow rates are higher in the LHW of minimum duration of grain dust exposure. Gradual trend of reduction of values were noticed in all PFT parameters as their duration of grain dust exposure increases. The prevalence rate of respiratory impairments is higher in the load handling workers compared to the control subjects. The restrictive, obstructive and combined restrictive and obstructive type of respiratory impairments are noted in LHW but the occurrence rate of combined types of respiratory impairments are less compared to other types. The non-smokers and smokers exposed workers have more respiratory impairments in comparison to non-smokers and smokers of the control subjects.