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Peak expiratory flow rate in flour mill workers.
1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Nagpur.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|June 30, 2000
Summary
Flour mill workers show reduced peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) due to grain dust exposure and smoking. This decline is linked to respiratory issues, highlighting occupational health risks in milling environments.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Flour mill workers face potential respiratory hazards from grain dust.
- Reduced lung function, specifically peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), is a concern in such environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in flour mill workers.
- To determine the relationship between reduced PEFR and factors like age, smoking, grain dust exposure, and respiratory morbidity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 286 flour mill workers and 286 matched controls.
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured using Wright's Peak Flow Meter.
Main Results:
- Flour mill workers exhibited significantly lower PEFR compared to the control group.
- Decreased PEFR was significantly associated with grain dust exposure, duration of exposure, tobacco smoking, and respiratory morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Occupational exposure in flour mills negatively impacts lung function.
- Grain dust exposure and smoking are significant risk factors for reduced PEFR and respiratory morbidity in these workers.