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Peak expiratory flow rate of children working in lock factories

S Singhal1, A Singhal, P N Singh

  • 1Dept. of Physiology, JNMC, AMU, Aligarh.

Indian Journal of Public Health
|December 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children working in lock factories showed significantly reduced peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) compared to controls. The polishing unit had the greatest PEFR reduction, indicating potential respiratory health risks for child laborers.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Child labor in industrial settings poses significant health risks.
  • Exposure to workplace toxins and strenuous activity can impact respiratory function.
  • Limited data exists on the specific respiratory effects of working in lock factories on children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of working in a lock factory on children's peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
  • To compare PEFR in children employed in various lock factory units with a control group.
  • To identify specific factory units associated with greater respiratory impairment.

Main Methods:

  • PEFR was measured in 106 children working in different lock factory units (hand press, polishing, fitting, packing).
  • A control group of age and sex-matched children from the same socio-economic status was used for comparison.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences in PEFR between groups.

Main Results:

  • Children working in all tested lock factory units exhibited a significant decrease in PEFR compared to the control group (P>0.001).
  • The most substantial reduction in PEFR was observed in children working in the polishing unit, with a 25.48% decrease.
  • These findings suggest a negative impact of lock factory work on lung function in children.

Conclusions:

  • Working in lock factories, particularly in the polishing unit, significantly impairs children's respiratory health as indicated by reduced PEFR.
  • Urgent interventions are needed to protect child laborers from occupational hazards and prevent long-term respiratory damage.
  • Further research should explore the specific etiological factors within factory environments contributing to these respiratory deficits.

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