A comparative study of lung functions in rice mill and saw mill workers

A lung function study was carried out to determine the relative effect of rice husk and saw dust on mill workers. The study consisted of 195 subjects of which 56 rice mill workers, 71 saw mill workers and 68 controls of similar age, sex and socio-economic condition. FVC was significantly reduced in saw-mill workers compared to both the controls and rice mill workers. Both FEV1 and PEFR/min were significantly reduced in both mill workers compared to controls. The fall in PEFR/min in saw mill workers was also significant when compared to rice mill workers. FVC was reduced after 5 years of exposure only in saw mill workers. FEV1 was reduced within a year which was further reduced after 5 years in both mill workers. PEFR/min was highly reduced within a year remained so even after 5 years.