Investigations were conducted to study the effect of occupational exposure on respiratory system in food grain flour mill workers. Spirometric functions were recorded using a spirometer to register dynamic respiratory parameters. The reference values were close for FVC {Forced vital capacity) ;the differences were bigger for FEV1 (Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. {FEV 1.0}). and forced expiratory flows, especially in workers exposed to 10 years of occupational exposures to food grain flour mill. The monitoring of air dust revealed prevalence of occupationally generated dust. Occupational dust concentration (ODC) was higher (mean ODC = 10.73 mg/m~3). Subjects were found to suffer from various profiles of restrictive, obstructive and mixed type of pulmonary impairments totaling to 36.3% vs 4.0%. Mean observed values of VC (Vital capacity) and FVC (Forced vital capacity) of the subjects were significantly lower than predicted values, thereby showed effects of occupational exposure. The study suggests significant association between pulmonary function abnormalities and occupational exposure. Findings also indicate occupational exposure to flour mill particulate matter lead to respiratory symptoms, predominantly cough followed by wheezing. Among the various age groups, the female subjects exposed to ≥ 10 years showed a significant prevalenee of respiratory symptoms as compared to male workers. The study revealed that the respiratory symptoms increased with the duration of exposures to the occupation.
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