EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF THE INHALED SEASALT AEROSOL IN VENTILATORY FUNCTIONS OF SEAFARERS

BackgroundSeafarers those who are working in the upper deck of the ship are continuously exposed to sea salt aerosol. Aerosol inhalation has shown to have deleterious effects on the respiratory system. Performing spirometry can detect and quantify respiratory system abnormalities by the various parameters of PFT.AimTo evaluate the effect of chronic exposure and inhalation of sea salt aerosol on pulmonary function of seafarers.Materials and methodsThe present study was carried out in 40 non smoking healthy seafarers of age between 30 - 50 years who were working in the top deck of the ship. Pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters like, FEV1, FVC, FEV1FVC, PEF and FEF 25- 75 were measured by using ultrasonic wave flow sensing spirometer and compared with the same PFT parameters of individuals residing away from the seashore with other attributes similar to the test group.ResultsNo significant difference was observed in all the PFT parameters studied (FEV1, FVC, FEV1FVC, PEF and FEF 25-75) between seafarers and control group.ConclusionThe study shows that exposure and inhalation of seasalt aerosol has no deleterious effect on the respiratory system.