Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1st second and forced expiratory ratio in automobile spray paint workers

Background: Automobile industry is a place where workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and toxic substances. Workers engaged in automobile spray painting are at a risk of developing respiratory problems. This is due to exposure to low molecular weight compounds (isocyanates) in spray paints. Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 male subjects comprising of the study group (n=50) and the control group (n=50), 18-35 years of age, non-smoker and with no pre occupational respiratory illness. The study group included workers working for 6-8 hours a day and exposed to spray paints for ≤5 years and the controls were age and BSA matched healthy office workers of the same locality. A preformed questionnaire was given to subjects and pulmonary functions parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC)) were recorded by computerised spirometer (Medspiror). Results: The two groups did not differ significantly on physical parameters. The pulmonary function parameters of the study group (FVC p=0.036, FEV1/FVC p=0.000) were found to be significantly different when compared to that of controls. As the age, weight, height and BSA increases there was a significant decrease in FEV1 in study group. Duration of exposure (<3 and more than equal to 3) had no statistically significant impact on pulmonary function tests (FVC p=0.139, FEV1 p=0.339, FEV1/FVC p=0.158) in the study  group. Conclusions: Exposure to automobile spray paint impairs lung functions.