Abstract

Occupational lung diseases are usually caused due to chronic exposure to dust or irritating toxic substance. In India, morbidity due to occupational lung diseases has been reported to be high. Therefore present study was carried out to determine the impact of long term occupational barites dust exposure on pulmonary capacities of workers. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 322 participants within age group of 22-60 years in 2013. Data regarding demographic, behavioural & occupational characteristics were collected by pre-designed questionnaire. Spirometry is an important tool for detection of pulmonary diseases in its earlier stages. Pulmonary functions were assessed by Schiller spirometry in 240 surface mine exposed workers who engaged in direct mining activities & 92 age matched healthy administrative staff workers as non exposed workers. Results: It was observed that 15.8% of exposed workers had restrictive pulmonary impairment as compared to 6.5% among non-exposed workers and the difference was statistically significant (p

Key words: Pulmonary function, barytes dust, work exposure, miners.