Lung Function Abnormalities among Tannery Workers in Vellore District

Authors

  • Adikesavan B.1, Sangeetha P.1

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1233

Keywords:

Tannery workers, PFT, FVC, FEF max.

Abstract

Vellore and its allied areas have a high concentration of tanneries. There is a very large population engaged
in the different sections of the tanneries. They are constantly exposed to leather tanning chemicals like
chromium, HCL, H2SO4, alum etc. The constant exposure to these chemicals makes the workers susceptible
to many lung function abnormalities. More over the contact with these chemicals can cause skin diseases,
nasal cancer, ocular abnormalities and respiratory diseases. Duration of exposure is a major criterion for the
reduction in lung function. It is a cross sectional study involving 39 male subjects aged between 18-60 years
working in different sections of the tanneries in Vellore district as study group and 25 male subjects of the
same age group and socio economic status and who do not have any previous exposure to leather tanning
chemicals as control group . Lung function testing was done using Eagles’s global spirometer. Our study
shows moderate restriction and mild obstruction in study group when compared to normal subjects and also
shows progressive decrement in FVC and FEFmax with their age and duration of occupation.

Author Biography

  • Adikesavan B.1, Sangeetha P.1

    1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Govt.V ellore Medical College, Vellore-11

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Published

2020-04-29

How to Cite

Lung Function Abnormalities among Tannery Workers in Vellore District. (2020). International Journal of Physiology, 8(2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1233