Morbidity pattern in foundry workers--a cross-sectional study in an urban area of north Karnataka

Foundry industry which is a well established in India employs many workers. These workers are exposed to metal dusts, metal fumes, chemicals, heat and high temperature. To determine the morbidity pattern in foundry workers, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the semi-urban area of Belgaum in Karnataka. All the workers excluding the administrative staff working in the foundries in the specified area were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Thorough physical examination was carried out to find out existing morbidities followed by spirometry test to determine their lung function profile. Altogether 498 foundry workers participated in the study. More than 50% of them were working for five years and above. Most of the workers (91.57%) were not using any kind of personal protective devices and 38.55% were smokers. About 68.50% workers had some kind of morbidity. Respiratory system (18.10%) was involved in most of those with morbidities. Chronic bronchitis was the leading morbidity in these workers. There was an association between chronic bronchitis with increasing age of the workers, the number of years they were working in foundries and their smoking habits, which was statistically significant. Foundry workers are exposed to various risk factors like metal dusts, metal fumes and Chemicals which may affect their health. They suffer from various morbidities, particularly respiratory problems which needs periodic health examination. Personal protective devices use should be made compulsory in these workers.