Pulmonary function tests in sugar factory workers of Western Maharashtra (India)

The spirometric pulmonary function tests (PFT) were studied in age-matched sugar factory workers who were exposed to sugarcane dust (n = 354) and normal healthy controls (n = 40) from the Western Maharashtra region of India. Anthropometric measurements were taken of both groups before the assessment of pulmonary function. Factory workers were grouped into two groups depending upon type of exposure to bagasse or sugarcane dust. The exposure groups were divided into a direct exposure group (those handling bagasse, n = 34) and an indirect exposure group (those not handling bagasse, n = 320). The spirometric PFT parameters studied were FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in first second), PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate), and MVV (Maximum Voluntary Ventilation). An examination of the percent of predicted values of all the parameters studied indicated that the values of all PFT parameters were significantly reduced in the direct exposure group as compared with control group. In indirect exposure group also showed reduced values that did not a reach significant level. We conclude from these findings that exposure to sugarcane dust (bagasse) and to other pollutants in a sugar factory is associated with lung dysfunction, which is more pronounced in the direct exposure group. A further study on a larger scale is essential to confirm our findings.