The active principle of chilli is capsaicin which when inhaled induces cough and transient increase in airway resistance through selective stimulation of sensory nerves in the airway. The present study was aimed at determining whether workers exposed to chilli dust showed ventilatory changes as in the pharmacological model. Twenty-five men with an average age of 28.5 years employed in five chilli grinding factories in Sri Lanka for an average of 6.6 years (range 3 months to 20 years) were clinically examined. Their ventilatory measurements were recorded before and after a Monday workshift. A control group was similarly examined. Dust levels in the respective chilli grinding factories were monitored. Fifteen men (60 per cent) had initial symptoms including cough on recruitment, but these passed off in 3 weeks to 6 months. There was no statistically significant across-shift change in ventilatory indices in chilli grinders when compared to the controls, nor was there a significant difference in the pre-shift measurements in the two groups. It is concluded that the airway resistance that occurs in the pharmacological model is too fleeting, if present in chilli grinders, to be recorded under ordinary conditions.

Prevalence and degree of burnout and associated factors from five major specialties in teaching hospitals of University of Colombo.

EFFECT OF LONG TERM INHALED CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY ON ADRENAL SUPPRESSION, GROWTH AND BONE HEALTH IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA Anuradha KWDA1, Prematilake GLDC2, Batuwita BAUI3, Kannangoda KASR4, Hewagamage US5,Wijeratne S6, Lankatilake Kantha7, de Silva KSH8 Abstract Background Primary objective was to describe the effect of long term inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICS) on adrenal suppression, growth and bone health in children with Asthma. Secondary objectives were to describe the association between the dose of ICS and duration of therapy on adrenal functions, growth and bone health in children with asthma, describe their growth ,biochemical parameters associated with bone health and vitamin D levels in comparison to an age and sex matched group of children with asthma who were not on long term ICS. Method Seventy children with asthma on ICS and 70 controls were studied. The estimated adult heights were interpreted relative to their Mid Parental Height (MPH) range. Serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D levels were assayed in both groups and cortisol value at 30 minutes following a low dose short synacthen test was obtained from the study group. The average daily dose of ICS was categorized as low, medium and high (100-200, 200-400, >400 ug /day ) respectively according to published literature. Results Heights of all children were within the MPH range. There was no statistically significant difference in the bone profiles and vitamin D levels between the two groups (Ca: p=0.554, vitamin D: p=0.187) but vitamin D levels were insufficient (<50 nmol/l) in 34% of cases and 41% of controls. Suppressed cortisol levels were seen in 24%. Doses of ICS were low, medium and high in 56%, 32% and 12% of children respectively. The association between adrenal suppression with longer duration of therapy (p<0.01) and with increasing dose of ICS (p<0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion ICS had no impact on the growth and bone profiles but its dose and duration were significantly associated with adrenal suppression. Key Words- Asthma, Inhaled corticosteroids, Growth, Adrenal suppression, Bone Metabolism, Vitamin D

Background: Paddy cultivation is a major occupation in informal sector in Sri Lanka. In 2014, contribution of the agricultural activities to the country’s annual GDP was 9.9% of which, contribution by paddy was 11.3%. The objective of the current study was to describe the work environment in rice mills with respect to dust, humidity and thermal condition, ventilation and illumination.Methods: A cross sectional study in 107 randomly selected rice mills was carried out in Ampara district in Sri Lanka. Standardized measurements were carried out to assess internal work environment of the mills.Results: Milling activities showed a seasonal variation. The majority of the mills (95.3%) manufactured raw rice only. Other than the basic characteristics, both automated (AMs) and non-automated mills (NAMs) showed common features. All rice mills exceeded the threshold limit values for total (520.04 mg/m3, SD=191.86 mg/m3) and respirable dust (48.14 mg/m3, SD=9.4 mg/m3). Mean daytime indoor relative humidity in the majority of the mills (n=102, 95.3%) was within the accepted upper limit. In most of the mills, ventilation (n=84, 78.5%) and illumination in polishing/packing area (n=60, 56.1%) was satisfactory while in dehusking/paddy inlet area (n=96, 89.7%), illumination was below the limits.Conclusions: Work environment in both the AMs and NAMs in Ampara district presented with poor work standards compared to the required guidelines.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants with the ability to cause adverse impacts on human health and the environment. This study describes the indiscriminate use of PCB-contaminated transformer oil as a coolant in informal welding shops in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Sixty-three welders, one each from a convenience sample of 63 welding workshops participated in the study. We administered a questionnaire and observed work practices. Sixty-two (98%) workplaces used transformer oil as the coolant in the welding equipment, 60 (95%) claiming that it was the only one available. Sixty-two (98%) did not use any protective measures when refilling coolant oil, while none of them safely disposed of the empty coolant oil containers. Only four (6%) were aware of the possible health effects of PCB-contaminated coolant oil. Health and safety measures in the work places studied were very poor. Coolant oil samples from a sub-sample of 30 welding workshops were tested for PCBs; 19 (63%) were positive. PCB-contaminated coolant oil is widely used by the welders in Kalutara without adequate precautions or safety measures.