A study to assess the respiratory impairments among the male beedi workers in unorganized sectors

Abstract

<b>Aims:</b> The dust of tobacco enters the respiratory system of <i> beedi</i> workers through inhalation during <i> beedi</i> -making and causes respiratory impairments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the pulmonary functional status of male <i> beedi</i> workers and to detect the pulmonary function impairments among these workers. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> A standard questionnaire was followed to note the symptoms like cough, breathlessness, morning cough and chest tightness. The <i> tendu</i> leaves contain fungal spores in different phases of its processing, particularly when they were kept in bundles in moist condition before wrapping the <i> beedi.</i> In the present study, pulmonary function status assessment was done by spirometric method using Spirovit-SP-10 and Wright's peak flow meter. Out of the total subjects studied (n=107), 56 were control subjects and 51 were workers exposed to <i> beedi.</i> <b> Statistical Analysis:</b> Paired t-test was done to determine the significant difference between <i> beedi</i> workers and control subjects. <b> Result:</b> A few workers reported symptoms of cough, breathlessness, morning cough and chest tightness. The respiratory symptoms were found higher in exposed <i> beedi</i> workers compared to control subjects. A trend of decrement of lung volumes with the increment of age and duration of work exposure was observed. The pulmonary function abnormalities found among the male <i> beedi</i> workers were obstructive, restrictive and 'combined restrictive and obstructive' type. <b> Conclusion:</b> The respirtory impairments among the <i> beedi</i> workers might be due to their exposure to the work environment.<br>