A cross-sectional study of pulmonary function tests among the municipal street sweepers of Chitradurga District, Karnataka

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Original Article

Author Details : Basavaraj Sangoll, Rashmi BM*, Sujay Jagadish, Sreeharsha B., Chaitra

Volume : 3, Issue : 3, Year : 2018

Article Page : 108-113

https://doi.org/10.18231/2581-4222.2018.0029

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Abstract

Municipal street sweepers are exposed to large amount of dusts, microorganisms, toxins and automobile exhaust pollution. Chronic inhalation of such particulate matter has the potential to impair their pulmonary functions. The strict adherence to the standards and norms for the management of municipal solid wastes to reduce occupational health hazards in developing countries India is still a matter of concern. This study conducted among the municipal sweepers of Chitradurga district, compared the effects of chronic exposure to dust on the pulmonary function using spirometry test. This study also assessed the effects of smoking and irregular usage of protection masks, and compared the results with the healthy controls. Respiratory symptoms of cough (30%), chest pain (17.5%), catarrah and sneezing (21.5%) were found to be in higher percentage among the municipal street sweepers than the controls. Only 20% of participants municipal street sweepers used personal protective measures, wearing protective masks, regularly in the past 1 year, during sweeping streets. It was found that FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR and FEF 25%-75% were significantly lesser among non-smoker street sweepers, when compared with that of non-smoking controls. Similarly these PFT values were significantly reduced among the smoker street sweepers and among the sweepers who didn’t use protective masks while sweeping. This study highlights the occupational hazard faced by municipal sweepers and attempts to emphasize on importance of usage of protective masks.

Keywords: Street sweepers; Personal Protective Measures; Dust; Spirometry.

How to cite : Sangoll B , Rashmi Bm, Jagadish S, Sreeharsha B., Chaitra, A cross-sectional study of pulmonary function tests among the municipal street sweepers of Chitradurga District, Karnataka. IP Indian J Immunol Respir Med 2018;3(3):108-113

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