Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: September | Volume: 10 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 55-62
Assessment of Lung Function, Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Petrol Pump Workers
Pratibha Anil Gaikwad, Aayusha Ashay Gawand, Rajashree Naik
Department of Physiotherapy, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai-400022, Maharashtra, India.
Corresponding Author: Aayusha Ashay Gawand
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Air pollution from vehicles in a city like Mumbai is an inescapable part of the urban life. Petrol pump workers are continuously exposed to petrol/diesel fumes and a long term exposure to these fumes lead to a deleterious effect on the respiratory system and quality of life. Despite the number of petrol stations in Mumbai, there is paucity of information regarding the cardiorespiratory health and the quality of life of these workers. Hence this study was undertaken to assess lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in petrol pump workers of Mumbai, India.
Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 217 non-smokers, male petrol pump workers. The lung function was assessed using a Mini Wrights’ Peak Flow Meter, the exercise capacity using 3minute step test and the quality of life using SF 12 Questionnaire. The statistical analysis was done using MS Excel and unpaired ‘t’ test.
Results: A significant reduction (p<0.0001) in the mean PEFR was found in the petrol pump workers as compared to the standard normal values.74% of the petrol attendants were found to have reduced PEFR values. There was mild affection of exercise capacity and poor quality of life among the workers.
Conclusions: This study concludes that the petrol pump workers showed a decline in the mean PEFR value which was statistically significant. There was mild affection of exercise capacity and poor quality of life among these attendants.
Key words: Petrol pump workers, Peak Expiratory Flow Meter, Exercise capacity Quality of life, petrol/diesel vapours, gasoline vapours.