EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF THE INHALED SEASALT AEROSOL IN VENTILATORY FUNCTIONS OF SEAFARERS.

Abstract

BackgroundSeafarers those who are
working in the upper deck of the ship are
continuously exposed to sea salt aerosol.
Aerosol inhalation has shown to have
deleterious effects on the respiratory system.
Performing spirometry can detect and
quantify respiratory system abnormalities
by the various parameters of PFT.AimTo
evaluate the effect of chronic exposure
and inhalation of sea salt aerosol on pulmonary
function of seafarers.Materials and
methodsThe present study was carried out
in 40 non smoking healthy seafarers of
age between 30 - 50 years who were
working in the top deck of the ship. Pulmonary
function test (PFT) parameters like,
FEV1, FVC, FEV1FVC, PEF and FEF 25-
75 were measured by using ultrasonic
wave flow sensing spirometer and compared
with the same PFT parameters of
individuals residing away from the seashore
with other attributes similar to the
test group.ResultsNo significant difference
was observed in all the PFT parameters
studied (FEV1, FVC, FEV1FVC, PEF and
FEF 25-75) between seafarers and control
group.ConclusionThe study shows
that exposure and inhalation of seasalt
aerosol has no deleterious effect on the
respiratory system.