AN ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC PULMONARY FUNCTION IN AUTOMOBILE MECHANICS

Abstract

Automobile mechanics are exposed to organic and inorganic substances present in petrol and diesel. Chronic cough, wheezing and breathlessness have been reported in automobile mechanics. However there is limited published data regarding the dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in automobile mechanics. Hence we undertook this study. We studied the dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in a group of automobile mechanics. This study was conducted in a motor vehicle showroom in Mangalore.70 employees between the age group 30 to 40 years who were working as mechanics for more than one year without any pre existing lung disease were included as case group in the study. 70 employees of the same age group of the same company were taken as control group. Control group used to work in their showroom in an air conditioned environment and were not exposed to any dust and fumes. Employees who had per-existing lung diseases, smokers who had chest wall deformities, neuromuscular disease, severe obesity, previous thoracic surgery were excluded from the study. Spirometry was performed after informed consent in all these subjects. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR, FEF 25-75 was recorded and compared with normal predicted value. Out of 70 subjects 12(17.14%) had restrictive lung disease among whom 4 were moderate and 8 were mild restrictive lung disease.FEF 25 -75 was decreased in 6 subjects(8.57%) out of whom 1 was moderate and 5 were mild. Dynamic pulmonary function test abnormalities in automobile mechanics include restrictive lung disease and small airways obstruction.