A STUDY ON PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS IN COAL MINE WORKERS IN KHAMMAM DISTRICT, TELANGANA-INDIA

Respiratory system, representing an important adjunct to the various lung imaging studies. It also measures the function of lung capacity and chest wall mechanics to determine whether or not the patient has a lung problem. Spirometry gives an important clue in terms of respiratory chronic airway disorders and can predict early damage to pulmonary system. Occupational exposures to coal dust affect the different systems of the body. The present study has focused on the workers mined in coal workers (drilling and digging) who are continuously exposed to air pollutants such as coal dust during duty hours in Khammam population. Thirty healthy non ? smoker male working in coal mines for more than fifteen years formed the study group, while thirty healthy non?smoker males who are not exposed to air dust pollutants from hospital staff served as control group. The pulmonary function test was assessed using computerized spirometer. The pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, FEF25 ? 75% and PEFR) were significantly decreased in coal mine workers. The results suggest that there in a need to improve control measures and the health status of workers engaged in coal mine dust Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs) is a valuable tool for evaluating the particles.