Abstract

A STUDY ON PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS IN WEAVERS

Occupation is the one in which person not only earn his daily bread but also spend one third of average adult life. As the number of industries is on the increase, several industries like cement industries, chemical industries, textile industries etc, serves mainly man for comfortable living. Health hazards caused due to a particular occupation is yet to gain importance in public health measures. These diseases are termed occupational hazards. Weavers are constantly exposed to fine cotton dust generated from the weaving unit. Inhalation of this dust compromises their lung function greatly. Occupational exposure to cotton dust has been a great threat to the respiratory function. Pulmonary function tests are set of parameters to assess the lung function. It measures the function of lung capacity and chest wall mechanics to determine a fault in lung function. Materials & Method: Spirometry is used to determine airway disorders and is capable of predicting early damage in lung function. This paper discusses about the lung impairment in female weavers of below age groups, corresponding to minimum 5 years of exposure to cotton dust. 50 non smoking female weavers of age groups 25-40 years are chosen respectively. Pulmonary function was assessed using computerized spirometry and compared with same age, healthy non weavers. Conclusion: The pulmonary function parameters such as FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75 were significantly reduced in weavers.

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