Assessment of the lung function status of the goldsmiths working in an unorganized sector of India

Abstract

Context:

Exposure to various types of fumes and gases are very common in Jewelery industries. No Report is available regarding the effects of those fumes and gases on the respiratory functions of the goldsmiths. Due to lack of proper monitoring of the workplace environments in these unorganized sectors, workers get very much affected by the occupational exposures to those irritants.

Aims:

The present study aimed to investigate whether the occupational exposures to fumes and gases might alter the lung functions of the goldsmiths.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 118 goldsmiths and 66 unexposed control subjects were taken randomly for the study. The goldsmiths were further classified in 3 groups according to duration (year) of exposures in the work environment, ETA ₁ (less than 5 years), ETA ₂ (more than 5 years but less than 10 years), and ETA ₃ (more than 10 years). Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow rates of different intervals (FEF _25%, FEF _50%, FEF _75%, FEF _25-75%) were measured using computerized Spirometer (Maestros Mediline, India). The statistical analyses were carried out using Minitab software version 3.

Results:

Lung functions of the goldsmiths significantly ( P < 0.01) decreased from that of the control group. Inter-group comparison also showed the deteriorations of lung functions was associated with exposure time, and more exposed workers had significantly less ( P < 0.01) efficiencies of lung functions.

Conclusions:

Workplace fumes and gases were responsible for deterioration of the lung function status of the goldsmiths.