Effects of Pesticides on Lung Function Test in Farmers of Satara District, Maharashtra, India Joshi Gauri1,*, Joshi A. G.2, Patil S. N.2, Sontakke Ajit3 1Ph. D. Student, Department of Physiology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra 2Professor, Department of Physiology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra 3Professor & HOD, Department of Biochemistry, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra *Corresponding Author: Gauri Joshi, Ph. D. Student, Department of Physiology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra, Email: jgouri123@gmail.com
Online published on 19 August, 2019. Abstract Introduction Indiscriminate use of pesticides like organophosphate, organochlorine, carbamate and pyrethroid poses various health hazards to human nervous, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive and immune systems. Objectives To access extent of derangement in respiratory function of farmers who are exposed to pesticide in the Satara District. Method 40 pesticide sprayers having age group 25–35 were selected as subjects. 40 age matched healthy farmers who were not involved in spraying activity were taken as control. Lung function was measured in morning by using computerized “HELIOS 701” instrument which includes FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in First second of FVC), FEV1% (FEV1as % of FVC), PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in liters/sec), FEF25–75% (Forced Expiratory Flow Rate during 25to75% of expiration), FEF 0.2–1.2 (Forced Expiratory Flow between 0.2–1.2 liters of expiration) and MVV (Maximum Voluntary Ventilation). After computing mean and SD of both groups comparison was done by using Unpaired t test to find out level of significance. Results Impairment of lung function (Predominantly restrictive type) was found in study groups as compared to controls. Conclusions Exposure to pesticides causes lung function derangement in pesticide sprayers. Top Keywords Lung function, pesticide sprayers. Top |