Investigation of lung volume and capacity in tea packaging factory employees by spirometric methods

Objective: Inhalation of plant-based organic powders may lead to various diseases such as asthma, asthma-like syndrome and hypersensitivity pneumonia. The aim of the study is to evaluate respiratory health effects by measuring respiratory function measurements, respiratory survey, ambient dust concentration and toxic gas in workers working in tea packaging factory. Methods: A total of 69 workers working in different departments in a tea packaging factory in Rize were included as a study group and 53 employees in the office were included as a control group in the study. After the volunteer consent form was distributed to the subjects, questions including age, gender, height, weight, smoking, history of asthma-allergy, respiratory symptoms were asked in a questionnaire form. Pulmonary function test was performed to all employees. Dust and toxic gas were measured in the ambient air. Results: Among the respiratory symptoms, sputum production in the morning (% 50,7) was significantly higher in tea packaging workers (p=0.013). Within the respiratory function values, only FEV1 / FVC was found to be lower than the control group. There was a significant decrease in FEF% 75 value among smokers in the study group compared to non-smokers. Conclusion: As a result, it is understood that the respiratory effects observed in the employees in some food processing sectors are also observed in the tea packaging sector and that effective dust control will affect the health of the workers positively. Keywords: Spirometry, respiratory symptoms, tea workers, occupational exposure, dust measurement, toxic gas concentration.