Assessment of Ventilation and Diffusion Studies of Flour Mill Workers in Nagpur Urban

Aim and objectives 1) To assess the effect of exposure to flour dust on respiratory symptoms.2) To study lung function of flour mill workers by diffusion and ventilation studies. Methodology Statistical analysis was conducted using unpaired t test. The level of analysis was established at a level of Pless than0.05. The overall mean pulmonary function data were correlated against the duration of exposure on FLOUR MILL WORKERS IN NAGPUR URBAN only those were included who were willing to participate. Total floor mill operators (100) and equal number of controls were included, after explaining about the purpose of the study. Persons in the age group 19-55 years were included in the study and were randomly selected from different locations covering all parts of Nagpur city. Statistical Analysis Statistical analysis was conducted using unpaired t test. The level of analysis was established at a level of Pless than0.05. The overall mean pulmonary function data were correlated against the duration of exposure. Results The values of FVC (L), FEVI (L), FEV1 ( %), FEV1/FVC ( %), FEF25-75 ( %), MEP, MVV, VC, DLCO and TV were significantly decreased as Pless than0.05 in flour mill workers as compared with their matched controls. However, no significant differences were observed in MIP between the groups. The mean duration of exposure in flour mill workers was 14 years. Conclusion During the study it was observed that a large number of flour mill workers suffered from the problems of restrictive defect and air flow obstruction. The decreased in peak expiratory flow rate was also in the severe to moderate range. This indicates reduction in pulmonary function efficiency among flour mill workers.