To Assess the Lung Function Status by Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow of the Goldsmiths Working in Chennai Central: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Goldsmiths may be occupationally exposed to metal dust, fumes, and other airborne contaminants generated during jewellery manufacturing. Prolonged exposure to such occupational hazards may adversely affect respiratory function. This study assessed selected pulmonary function parameters among goldsmiths and compared them with jewellery shop workers who were not occupationally exposed to dust. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 200 participants, comprising 100 goldsmiths and 100 jewellery shop workers. Goldsmiths aged 20–50 years who had worked for approximately 10 hours per day for at least 5 years were included. Age-matched, healthy jewellery shop workers without occupational dust exposure served as controls. Individuals with respiratory infections, tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, previous chest or abdominal surgery, neuromuscular disorders, spinal abnormalities, other systemic illnesses, or a history of smoking were excluded. Pulmonary function testing was performed in the morning in the sitting position using an Easy One™ diagnostic spirometer. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75%), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were assessed. Continuous variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation and compared using Welch’s independent-samples t-test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean PEF was lower among goldsmiths than jewellery shop workers (457 ± 181 vs. 480 ± 73 L/min), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.20). FEF25–75% was significantly lower among goldsmiths (2.75 ± 1.42 vs. 3.43 ± 0.79 L/s; p<0.001). Similarly, MVV was significantly reduced among goldsmiths compared with controls (81 ± 25 vs. 113 ± 25; p<0.001). Among goldsmiths, participants with ≥15 years of occupational exposure had lower PEF and FEF25–75% than those with <15 years of exposure (p=0.05 for both), whereas the difference in MVV was not statistically significant (p=0.30). Conclusion: Goldsmiths demonstrated reduced selected pulmonary function parameters, particularly FEF25–75% and MVV, compared with occupationally unexposed jewellery shop workers. These findings suggest an association between prolonged occupational exposure and impaired respiratory function and support the need for appropriate workplace ventilation, respiratory protection, and periodic pulmonary function surveillance among goldsmiths. Keywords: Occupational Exposure; Occupational Diseases; Pulmonary Function Tests; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Respiratory Function Tests; Lung Functions; Goldsmiths; Metal dust; Occupational hazards