Title: Evaluation of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Tea Garden Factory Workers in Dibrugarh District, Assam
Authors: Dr (Mrs) Rumi Konwar, Dr (Mrs) Wasima Jahan
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i8.94
Abstract
Introduction: Tea which is brewed from the tea plant Camellia sinensis is an indispensable beverage used the world over. Manufacture of black tea involves several labour–intensive processes: sifting and blending being the dustiest processes in the tea industry thereby exposing the workers involved to the hazards of dust inhalation.
Materials and Method: The present study was carried out to evaluate the Peak Expiratory Flow Rates (PEFR) of tea garden factory workers in Dibrugarh district of Assam in India and study the effect of duration of exposure to pollutants in them. A Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter was used. Study population comprised of 210 male factory workers (cases) divided into 3 groups (70 in each) according to their duration of exposure as Group 1: < 1 year, Group 2: 1– 2years, Group 3:> 2 years to 10 years duration of exposure. A control group was taken comprising of 70 male field workers with no exposure to dusty environment. Results analysed applying ANOVA.
Results: PEFR values of Group 3, when compared to the control group, showed a highly significant decrease (p < 0.01). When the PEFR value was compared among the 3 groups, it showed a highly significant decline (p < 0.01) with increase in duration of exposure.
Conclusion: The study reveals that the PEFR values of the tea factory workers were lower than that of the Control group and that with increased duration of exposure to dust within the factory, there was a decline in their PEFR values.
Keywords: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Tea Garden Factory Workers, dust.
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