Pulmonary Function Changes Among Offset Printer Workers Of Sivakasi

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Sivakasi houses the largest number of printing machines in the world next to Guthenberg in Germany. Nearly 60% of India’s offset printing solutions are produced in sivakasi. Printer workers  are occupationally exposed to a variety of chemicals such as white spirits, methylene chloride ,isopropanol, trichloroethylene and airborne contaminants through inhalation. 

AIM

To assess the pulmonary function changes among Offset Printer workers in Sivakasi population

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This descriptional study was carried out after obtaining Institutional Ethical Committee clearance. Sample size (n)=200. All the subjects were educated about the manoeuvre of PFT before doing assessment.  PFT was done using Portable RMS Helios 701. Paired t test and One way ANOVA were applied for statistical analysis by using SPSS. 

RESULTS

FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEV1, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75% values of printer workers were significantly affected .Prevalence of restrictive, obstructive and mixed type of lung disorder were 36% , 29.5% and 17% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The offset printer workers are a vulnerable group and have more probability of getting lung diseases due to exposure to a variety of chemicals emitted during their working process. Preventive measures like wearing masks and routine medical examination should be carried out among this population to reduce morbidity.