Spirometric measurement among polyurethane foam mattress-making workers of India

Background: The polyurethane foam (PUF) mattress-making workers are exposed to isocyanates which are known respiratory toxicants and cause effect on pulmonary volumes and flows. Thus, the study was with a rationale to measure the changes in pulmonary flow and volumes due to isocyanates among PUF mat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rajnarayan Ramshankar Tiwari, Sampathraju Raghavan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Community Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2021;volume=46;issue=2;spage=313;epage=316;aulast=
Description
Summary:Background: The polyurethane foam (PUF) mattress-making workers are exposed to isocyanates which are known respiratory toxicants and cause effect on pulmonary volumes and flows. Thus, the study was with a rationale to measure the changes in pulmonary flow and volumes due to isocyanates among PUF mattress-making workers. Materials and Methods: The study included 183 male workers from seven PUF making units of western and northern India. Using the interview technique as a tool for data collection, demographic and occupational details of the subjects were recorded on the predesigned and pretested pro forma. The mean of spirometric parameters was compared using one-way ANOVA and t-test. The relation between spirometric parameters and anthropometric parameters was analyzed using the correlation coefficient. Results: The spirometry showed that out of 183 participants, 165 (90.2%) subjects had normal spirometry, 13 (7.1%) had restrictive impairment, and 4 (2.2%) had obstructive impairment. All the mean spirometric values showed a declining trend with increasing age, while only forced expiratory volume in first second and forced vital capacity25%–75% showed a declining trend with increasing duration of employment. The spirometric measurements had a negative correlation with age and positive correlation with height. Conclusion: The spirometric values representing the airway flow were affected. The associated factors include age and duration of exposure.
ISSN:0970-0218
1998-3581