Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st Second (FEV1) and Forced Expiratory Ratio (FEV1/FVC) In Petrol Pump Workers at Jhalawar and Jhalarapatan (Rajasthan)

Background and Objective: In India, petrol filling workers are employed rather than self employed, increasing the potential danger for exposure to harmful vapours during fuel fillings. Long-term exposure to petrol vapour has been blamed to affect the different physiological systems in the body adversely. The present study is carried out to assess the dynamic ventilatory lung function in petrol pump workers so as to comment on the long-term effects of work environment on lung function.
Material and Method: The present study was conducted on 30 males of 20-40 years age, who were working in various petrol filling stations as petrol filling attendants, working 8 hours per day for more than 2 years in Jhalawar and Jhalrapatan city. For comparison 30, age and BSA matched apparently healthy control group, who were not exposed to petroleum vapours, from the preclinical and para clinical departments of Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar were studied simultaneously. Spirometry was performed with an electronic spirometer Helios-401. The parameters studied were Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1^st second (FEV₁) and Forced expiratory ratio (FEV₁/FVC).
Results and Interpretation: The two groups did not differ significantly on physical parameters. Both forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1) were decreased significantly while their ratio did not differ much between the two groups.
Conclusion: Our findings point towards adverse effects of petroleum vapours on lung function, mainly on lower airways with restrictive pattern of disease.

Keywords and Abbreviations: Forced vital capacity(FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1^st second (FEV₁) and Forced expiratory ratio (FEV₁/FVC)