*Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Govt. Polytechnic College, Ferozepur-152026 (India)
**Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar-144011 (India)
***Professor, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar-144011 (India)
****Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Govt. Polytechnic College, Bikhiwind-143303 (India)
Online published on 14 November, 2013.
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of respiratory symptoms and their association with occupational dust exposure among the brick kiln workers. Brick kiln workers are exposed to dust particles and are susceptible to multiple pulmonary complications. Problems like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary symptoms, and silicosis are more common among them. As brick kiln industry is an unorganized sector, so it was decided to evaluate the respiratory symptoms and lung capacities in these workers and compare them with controls. This study included 120 brick kiln factory workers occupationally exposed to dust and 80 unexposed workers as controls. Mean respirable dust exposure in firing section was the highest (19.51 mg/m3) while mean respirable dust exposure in mixing & molding section was the lowest (10.08 mg/m3). Implementation of industrial hygiene and proper and efficient use of personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of brick kiln workers.
Cross-sectional study Brick kiln industry, Occupational exposure, Respiratory symptoms, Respirable dust
