Year: 2025 | Month: October-December | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 70-75
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20250411
Effect of Exposure to Flour Dust on Inspiratory Muscle Strength, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Chest Expansion of Flour Mill Workers of Ahmedabad City
Khushi Tahiliani1, Harita Vyas2
1Post Graduate Student, SBB Physiotherapy College, Ahmedabad,
2Lecturer, SBB Physiotherapy College, Ahmedabad,
Corresponding Author: Khushi Tahiliani
ABSTRACT
Due to increase in industrialization, air pollution is increasing day by day. Occupational lung diseases are caused by a pathologic response of the individual to their working environment. Prolonged exposure to occupational dust which varies by dust type and exposure duration, particularly in flour packaging workers, can lead to respiratory diseases that resulting in reduced respiratory muscle strength, which negatively impacts both clinical outcomes and quality of life. Hence, present study aimed to evaluate inspiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory Flow Rate and Chest Expansion among Flour-Mill Workers in Ahmedabad city. A cross-sectional study conducted on 20 flour mill workers aged from 44-60 years. Verbal consent was taken from these workers along with control group 20 middle aged healthy adults (age, gender matched). The inspiratory muscle strength (Pimax) was calculated using portable capsule sensing pressure gauge device. Peak expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was calculated using peak expiratory flow meter. Best of Three readings of Pimax and PEFR in both the groups were taken. Chest expansion measured with measuring tape at all three levels in both groups. Significant reduction in Pimax (z<0.002), Chest expansion at fourth intercostal (z<0.00) and Xiphiod Level (z<0.00) was observed in Flour Mill Workers. PEFR was not statistically reduced (z<0.95) in both groups. Study result showed that there is significant reduction of inspiratory muscle Strength and Chest Expansion in Flour-Mill Workers. This study highlights the need for industrial respiratory health monitoring programs and data-driven public and occupational health initiatives for enhancing safety of flour-mill workers.
Keywords: Chest expansion, Flour Mill Workers, Flour dust, Inspiratory muscle strength.