Analysis of lung functions in flour mills and ricemills workers.

Aims: To study of the lung function tests in asymptomatic flour and rice mill workers and this study would be helpful in preventing longstanding harmful effects of such exposures and it is also useful for preventing environmental risks. Study Design: Cross – sectional study Material and Methods: The subject 207 asymptomatic healthy male is instructed to take maximal inspiration (to TLC) and he was connected to medspiror through the mouthpiece, after that nose clip is applied and the subject was asked to exhale forcefully into the medspiror as fast as possible. Statistical analysis: Statistical tests used like Student's ‘t’ test for two groups and ANOVA for multiple group comparisons. Results: Majority of lung function test parameters showed reduced levels in flour mill workers when compared to rice mill workers. However the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: It is concluded that flour dust and rice husk dust causes deterioration of pulmonary functions in subjects working at mills (flour and rice). The findings of this study recognized the role of grain dust (flour and rice) for a longer duration in decline of pulmonary function test among flour mills and rice mills workers.

Difficult ventilation in a patient after Endotracheal intubation: an unusual manufacturing defect in E.T.T. connecter

Airway resistance depends upon the diameter of endotracheal tube [E.T.T] and other respiratory organs. Actually resistance to flow through a tube increases up to sixteen times if diameter is reduced to half of the original size. Disposable E.T.T which are currently used in anaesthesia practice are made up of P.V.0 with a connecter which is fitted on proximal end of endotracheal tube and proximal end of connector is attached with breathing circuit. Usually the internal diameter of connector should be equal to internal diameter of endotracheal tube. In the market, tubes of different manufacturers and of different sizes are available for all age groups. In developing countries like Pakistan, hospital administration usually purchases the endotracheal tubes and other equipments which are relatively cheaper because of lack of funds. Here we present a case where there was a manufacturing defect in E.T.T connector with a very narrow internal diameter that was causing severe respiratory obstruction in a child undergoing laparotomy. We conclude that the anaesthetists must keep in their mind the possibility of E.T.T connector manufacturing defect if they face problem of increased airway resistance in an intubated patient after excluding other possibilities of high airway resistance

Influence of packaging materials on the oxidative stability of stripped soybean oil

Stripped soybean oil was used to investigate the effect of different packaging materials on photooxidation stability. Four packaging materials were used, two glass [clear and amber] and two plastic [low density polyethelene PE and polyethylene terephthalate PET]. Clear glass caused the highest hydroperoxide formation followed by PE and PET while amber glass caused the least one, since it excluded most of the incident light responsible for photoxidation, hence retarding it and decreasing off-flavour development. Also polyethylene terephthalate gave more inhibition of hydroperoxide than polyethylene. Polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate packaging materials although they cause some of their constituents to migrate into edible oils, the over all amount migrated from them still below the international permitted level

Some respiratory disorders in mattress - makers, an epidemiologic study

This study has been carried out in the year 1997 in Zagazig City on a random sample of 88 mattress-makers and a similar number of workers of the Faculty of Medicine, as a control group, to determine the prevalence of respiratory disorders and identify risk factors. The studied groups were interviewed using the M.R.C. [1960] questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Then, they were subjected to chest clinical examination and spirometry by the vitalograph. Dust concentration in the work places was estimated. Prevalence of respiratory disorders in mattress-makers and control group was 63.6% and 31.8. respectively [P < 0.05]. In mattress-makers: prevalence of ch. cough, ch. bronchitis, dyspnea, byssinosis and crackles was 25%. 21.6, 10.2%, 6.8% and 5.7%, respectively. corresponding to 12.5%, 9.1%1.1%, 0% and 0% in the control group [P < 0.05]. Most cases of byssiriosis were grade 1 and F1. Spirometry showed lower mean of FVC% of predicted and FEV[1] FVC% in mattress-makers than in the control group [P < 0.05]. Prevalence of smoking in mattress-makers was 42%. Prevalence of some respiratory disorders was related to duration of exposure. Other risk factors were smoking and dust concentration. Recommendations: Organization of health education program about hazards of exposure to dust, smoking and importance of proper ventilation and using masks