Lung function of Zimbabwean farm workers exposed to flue curing and stacking of tobacco leaves.
OBJECTIVE
To perform lung function tests on tobacco farm workers (TFWs) chronically exposed to flue curing and stacking of tobacco leaves and to compare them with vegetable farm workers (VFWs) who were not exposed to any known air pollutant (control).


METHODS
Comparative study.


METHODS
Tobacco and vegetable farms.


METHODS
20 TFWs and 30 VFWs. All subjects were male and the mean age, height and weight of the two groups were not significantly different.


METHODS
Lung function indices.


RESULTS
Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of the TFWs were 3.28 +/- 0.51 litres, 2.68 +/- 0.74 litres and 6.41 +/- 2.08 litres/second, respectively. These figures were significantly lower than 3.97 +/- 0.83 litres, 3.09 +/- 0.71 litres and 8.62 +/- 2.74 litres/second, respectively, for the control subjects (P < 0.01, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). However, mean FEV1 as a percentage of the FVC (FEV1%) of the TFWs was not significantly different from that of the controls FVC of the TFWs declined with duration of service (r = 0.74; P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The results are indicative of restrictive lung defect in the TFWs and may be attributed to long-term exposure to flue curing and stacking of tobacco leaves. The results also suggest the importance of the duration of exposure in the aetiology of lung impairment in this environment.
Osim
E E
EE
Department of Physiology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
Musabayane
C T
CT
Mufunda
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014675:Vegetables; D014797:Vital Capacity; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
D004391:Dust