Respiratory problems of workers in the zarda industry in Kolkata, India.
01 Jan 2007-International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (Taylor & Francis)-Vol. 13, Iss: 1, pp 91-96
TL;DR: It is indicated that zarda manufacturing workers may have respiratory and pulmonary disorders related to exposure to tobacco dust in their work environment caused by continuous exposure to the tobacco processing environment.
Abstract: This study was undertaken to assess the pulmonary and respiratory problems of workers in a zarda factory. A total of 70 permanent zarda workers (50 manufacturing workers and 20 office ones) were studied in a factory in Baguihati, Kolkata, India. The study included (a) completion of a questionnaire (on pulmonary and respiratory problems), (b) measurement of physical parameters, (c) spirometry and (d) measurement of peak expiratory flow rate. At the same time, the worksite was analyzed with an OSHA-recommended ergonomics checklist. Many zarda manufacturing workers complained of respiratory symptoms. Continuous exposure to the tobacco processing environment reduced the workers’ lung volume and peak expiratory flow rates. Our study indicates that zarda manufacturing workers may have respiratory and pulmonary disorders related to exposure to tobacco dust in their work environment.
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01 Jan 2013
TL;DR: The study indicates that weight gain in males might probably be attributed to the influence of genetic factors and environment on eating behaviour as well as sedentary activity; and that the inhibants of Izon communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria may have respiratory and pulmonary disorders related to prolonged exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals from oil and gas flared in the environment.
Abstract: This study establishes the relationship between peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and body mass index (BMI), in a representative sample of 1133 subjects in oil and gas exploitation and exploration environments in Epebu and Okodi in Izon communities, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, comprising 601(or 53%) males and 532(or 47%) females of comparable equal age. The mean PEFR value for the cohort was 367.47±106.67L/min while that for males were higher than that for females, and suggests that continuous and prolonged exposure to oil and gas production environment leads to diminution in peak expiratory flow rate. BMI for women fell within the spectrum of the normal adult body mass index cut off point, somewhere in between 20 - 22 kg/m 2 which represents the relatively small body frame of female adults. While BMI for males was suggestive that men are likely predisposed to developing overweight; their body mass fell within the pre-obese spectrum of 25 – 27 kg/m 2 . Our study indicates that weight gain in males might probably be attributed to the influence of genetic factors and environment on eating behaviour as well as sedentary activity; and that the inhibants of Izon communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria may have respiratory and pulmonary disorders related to prolonged exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals from oil and gas flared in the environment.
22 citations
TL;DR: The physical health check-up disclosed that workers suffered from obstructive breathing, prolonged cough, dermatitis, and eye infections which are significantly higher than control group at 95% confidence level under chi-squared test.
Abstract: A qualitative and quantitative study has been performed to investigate the concentration and impact of occupational health hazards (environmental and physical) on worker’s health employed in small scale steel manufacturing industries (SSSMI’s) of Ludhiana city in India. The study is performed on 80 workers of four SSSMI’s and 40 workers as control group. The environmental conditions reveal 96.8% and 34% higher values of suspended particulate matter and ambient air temperature respectively than the requisite standard levels. The physical health check-up disclosed that workers suffered from obstructive breathing (36.25%), prolonged cough (21.25%), dermatitis (30%) and eye infections (32.50%) which are significantly higher than control group at 95% confidence level under chi-squared test. The spirometric results indicated significant decline of FEV1/FVC (21.80%) in exposed workers than controls at 95% confidence level under paired student t-test. There was very limited use (34%) of personal protective equipments by the workers.
7 citations
TL;DR: A model for predicting the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of Nigerian workers in a cement factory based on age, height, weight and years of exposure (experience) was obtained and will be useful for the management in determining PEFR of workers in the cement industry.
Abstract: The main aim of the study was to propose a model for predicting the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of Nigerian workers in a cement factory. Sixty randomly selected non-smoker and healthy workers (30 in production sections, 30 in the administrative section of the factory) participated in the study. Their physical characteristics and PEFR were measured. Multiple correlations using SPSS version 16.0 were performed on the data. The values of PEFR, using the obtained model, were compared with the measured values using a two-tailed t test. There were positive correlations among age, height and PEFR. A prediction equation for PEFR based on age, height, weight and years of exposure (experience) was obtained with R² = .843 (p < 0.001). The developed model will be useful for the management in determining PEFR of workers in the cement industry for possible medical attention.
6 citations
Cites background from "Respiratory problems of workers in ..."
...98) L/min for workers in a tobacco company in India with ≤5 years of experience as reported by Ghosh and Barman.[27] The value is also lower than the mean (SD) of 376....
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...[23–26] The M (SD) value of PEFR of 366.1 (100.1) L/min obtained in the present study is lower than the M (SD) of 441 (93.98) L/min for workers in a tobacco company in India with ≤5 years of experience as reported by Ghosh and Barman....
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TL;DR: Tobacco worker's lung (TWL) is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) affecting workers exposed to tobacco leaves and molds in the humidified environment of the tobacco production industry.
Abstract: Tobacco worker’s lung (TWL) is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) affecting workers exposed to tobacco leaves and molds in the humidified environment of the tobacco production industry. Limited epidemiological data point to a prevalence of TWL that is not negligible and probably underestimated. As in other types of HP, an acute vs. chronic presentation depends on the pattern of the exposure. Therefore, the clinical presentation can vary from an acute influenza-like syndrome, mostly self-limiting with the removal of the exposure, to an insidious onset of cough, exertional dyspnea, fatigue and weight loss in chronic presentations, where fibrotic changes may be observed. The main treatment strategy is the removal of the exposure to tobacco dust and molds, while the main aim of corticosteroid therapy is to reduce morbidity and prevent complications, namely the development of pulmonary fibrosis and permanent lung dysfunction. Despite the fact that TWL is quite well described, preventive measures are not usually adopted in the tobacco production industry. We present here a state of the art review of this neglected, preventable, but still prevalent and occupational-related subtype of HP.
4 citations
23 Dec 2014
TL;DR: In this article, the post-work peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of workers in a cement company was assessed using the Wright Peak Flow Meter (WFPM) and SPSS 16.0.
Abstract: SUMMARY: Exposure to cement dust has been linked to lung function impairment. However, there are few such studies in Nigeria. The main aim of this study was to assess the post-work Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) of workers in a cement company. Sixty workers in a cement factory were randomly selected; thirty were regarded as workers exposed to cement dust and the remaining as unexposed workers. Both groups were non smokers, had no cardiopulmonary diseases or symptoms during the time of study. Wrights Peak Flow Meter was used for measuring lung functions before and after work for the exposed and unexposed workers. A statistical package, SPSS 16.0 was used for the analysis. There were no significant differences between the pre-work and post-work PEFR between the exposed and unexposed workers though there were differences. The exposed workers had reduced PEFR compared with their unexposed counterparts. However, there were significant differences between the pre-work and post-work PEFR for both the exposed and unexposed workers with the pre-work values lower than the post-work values. It was found that all workers in the cement industry are exposed to cement dust which reduces the lung volume and results in lung function impairment. It is suggested that efforts should be geared towards cleaner production by recognizing where and when cement dust is generated and by planning ahead to eliminate, control or recycle the dust at the source.
4 citations
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"Respiratory problems of workers in ..." refers methods in this paper
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Cigarette smoking first became a mass phenomenon in the United Kingdom and other more affluent countries in the early 20th century after the introduction of cheap, mass produced, manufactured cigarettes. Typically, a “smoking epidemic” in a population develops in four stages: a rise and then decline in smoking prevalence, followed two to three decades later by a similar trend in smoking related diseases. Usually, the uptake and consequent adverse effects of smoking occur earlier and to a greater degree among men.
In the United Kingdom there are about 13 million smokers, and worldwide an estimated 1.2 billion. Half of these smokers will die prematurely of a disease caused by their smoking, losing an average of eight years of life; this currently represents four million smokers each year worldwide. Deaths from smoking are projected to increase to more than 10 million a year by 2030, by which time 70% of deaths will be in developing countries.
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252 citations
"Respiratory problems of workers in ..." refers result in this paper
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TL;DR: The data indicate that tobacco workers may develop respiratory disorders related to tobacco dust in their work environment as well as in nonsmokers.
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TL;DR: In the past many investigators suggested that allergic reactions to tobacco antigens might be responsible for the occurrence of disease, but the evidence linking disease with allergy to tobaccoAntigens is still weak.
Abstract: In the past many investigators suggested that allergic reactions to tobacco antigens might be responsible for the occurrence of disease.1 The evidence linking disease with allergy to tobacco antige...
44 citations
"Respiratory problems of workers in ..." refers background in this paper
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