Assessment Of Respiratory Health In Flour Mill Workers.

[摘要] Flour mill workers are exposed to variety of organic dusts, generated during the grinding process,making them susceptible to respiratory illness. We therefore assessed the respiratory health of flour millworkers by clinical, radiological, and functional methods. Total 100 flour mill workers with minimum workexposure of 4 years were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Their worksite was inspected for dust densityand surroundings. A study specific validated questionnaire was used to assess the history, symptomatology andquality of life. The respiratory health was assessed by clinical examination, Chest X-ray and high resolution CTscan of thorax. Lung function was assessed using six minute walk test and spirometry. 10/100 had pre-existingAsthma/ COPD and they were using inhalers.54/100 subjects had frequent cough and 24/100 had exertionaldyspnea. Spirometry revealed airway obstruction in 20 participants (12 reversible and 8 irreversible), CT scanshowed Interstitial Lung disease in 6 participants (4 UIP and 2 NSIP pattern). 4/6 ILD desaturated on 6 minutewalk test. Flour mill workers are at an increased risk of respiratory illness even after adjusting for genetic andenvironmental factors.

[学科分类] 工程和技术（综合）

[关键词] flourmill;spirometry;occupational lung disease