[01] Guru Karthick Kannan, Department of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India. [02] Ponmathi Paramanandam, Department of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India.

Background: Occupational exposures to petrol / diesel vapors have been shown to affect functioning of different systems of the body. So the present study is planned to assess the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate of occupational exposureamongpetrol pump workers. Objectives: To find out the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate among occupational exposed petrol pump workers. Methods: Study Design was an observational study and Study type was cross sectional. The inclusion criteria were males, age between 20 to 50 years, working as petrol/diesel filling worker at the petrol pump for at least 1 year and 8 hrs/day. Exclusion criteria were smokers, history of any respiratory or cardiac illness, musculoskeletal abnormalities involving upper trunk or rib cage and neuromuscular disease. 50 controls and 50 cases (fuel station workers) were selected from Tambaram to Chengalpattu petrol pump based on these criteria. Their Peak Expiratory Flow Rate test is done and is compared with healthy nonsmokers. Results: A significant decrease in PEFR (t = 17.92; P = 0.001) was observed between both groups. The correlation coefficient for duration of exposure vs PEFR was r = - 0.934, which was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The chi-square association also demonstratesa significant association (X²=63.460; P=0.001) between the number of years of work experience vs PEFR. Conclusion: The present study suggests that long term exposure to petrol vapors and diesel fumes leads to decrease in respiratory function among petrol pump workers.

PEFR, Lung Function, Petrol Pump Workers

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