A comparative study of lung functions in rice mill workers and non dust producing industrial workers

Abstract

Background: Rice mill workers are potentially exposed to organic and inorganic dusts and synthetic chemicals mainly moldy hey or grain dust and silica that may have adverse effects on respiratory health. Objective: To determine the effect of rice mill exposure on lung function. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative type of study conducted among the rice-mill workers and workers other than dust producing Industry in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. In this study 300 rice mill workers as exposed group (B) and 100 workers other than dust producing Industry as controls (A) were selected purposively. Data were collected by a pre-tested partially structured interview schedule designed to record the background characteristics of the workers and their lung function test results. Results: Of a total 300 rice mill exposed workers, 286 (95.3%) workers had impaired lung function (PVC <80% and or FEV, <80%). On the other hand, out of 100 non-rice mill exposed workers, only 14(14.0%) workers had impaired lung function. Rice mill workers had a 32.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.93-106.50) fold greater risk to impair their lung function than the workers worked other than rice mill. Conclusion: Rice mill workers should be advised to use tight facemasks during working hours as a routine and maximum necessary measures to control air pollution should be taken. And they should have periodic clinical and spirometric evaluation and those showing significant impairment in ventilatory functions should be advised to work in other non-dust producing industries.