Assessment of pulmonary function test in brick factory workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Pulmonology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Industrial workers face prolonged exposure to dust and pollutants, leading to occupational disorders.
• Respiratory system is particularly vulnerable, with conditions like asbestosis, silicosis, and work-related asthma.
• Exposure duration directly correlates with decreased pulmonary function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate respiratory function among brick factory workers compared to a control group.
• To raise awareness among workers about the impact of occupational exposure and habits on lung health.
• To compare pulmonary function test values between exposed workers and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• 100 brick factory workers and 50 control subjects underwent pulmonary function tests using a portable spirometer.
• Sociodemographic data and health habits were collected via pretested questionnaires.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential methods.

Main Results:

• Brick factory workers exhibited significantly lower pulmonary function test values than the control group.
• Smokers within the brick factory worker group showed a statistically significant decline in pulmonary function (P=0.0001).

Conclusions:

• Occupational exposure in brick factories leads to a significant reduction in lung capacity.
• Smoking acts as an additional detrimental factor, further impairing respiratory function in these workers.
• Awareness and intervention are crucial for mitigating long-term respiratory damage.