Aim:There are different categories of workers depending upon their involvement in mining operation who are exposed to different levels of dust and for different durations. The occurrence and degree pulmonary impairment may differ among different workers in the same mining environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the respiratory function parameters of actively engaged exposed mine workers to that of supportive workers with respect to their duration of work exposure. Methods: 207 workers from coal mine were divided into two groups as per job profile. Group 1 consisting of 115 workers engaged in active mining operations and Group 2 consisting of 92 workers not continuously exposed to mining operations during their working hours. The lung functions of the workers were assessed by using Spirometer. ANOVA and Independent "t" test were used p value of ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: Lung parameters, i.e., forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and forced expiratory flow (25-75%) were significantly reduced among Group 1 workers except for peak expiratory flow rate which was non-significantly reduced. The differences among the parameters of lung function were statistically significant with exposure <30 years of work; however, the difference was insignificant >30 years of exposure. Conclusion: Pulmonary impairment is more evident in early years among the mine worker actively engaged in mining operations as compared to workers engaged in allied mining operation as the level of exposure to dust varies largely. However, after long-term exposure the impairment of allied workers is also in line with that of actively engaged mine workers. ARTICLE HISTORY

Background: Mining is a hazardous occupation in which workers are exposed to adverse conditions. In India, there are nine working lignite mines, producing about 30 million tons annually. The mines are located in the states of Tamilnadu, Rajasthan and Gujrat. Objective: The present study was carried out in a lignite mine in India to determine the health status of the miners.  Methods: 143 workers engaged actively in mining activities were included. The health status of the employees was evaluated by well defined medical questionnaire along with pulmonary function test (PFT) and Audiometry. Result: Findings of the study showed poor literacy rate amongst the miners. Pulmonary impairment was present in 11.88% and noise induced hearing impairment in about 12.15% of the miners. Conclusion: The study findings indicate the need for regular health checkups, health education, personal protective devices and engineering control.

Background: Textile industry has been widely implicated in environmental pollution. The health effects of residing near manufacturing industries are not well documented in India, especially in central India. Hence, a cross-sectional environmental monitoring and health assessment study was initiated as per directions of the local authorities. Methods: Comprehensive exposure data about the concentrations of relevant pollutants in the ambient air and ground water samples in the study area will be collected over 1 year. Using stratified random sampling, 3003 apparently healthy adults will be selected from the study area. Sociodemographic and anthropometric information, relevant medical and family history, and investigations including spirometry, electrocardiogram, neurobehavioral tests, and laboratory investigations (complete blood count, lipid profile and random blood glucose) will be conducted. Finally Iodine azide test and heavy metal level detection in urine and blood samples respectively will be conducted in a subset of selected participants to assess individual pollution exposure. Ethics approval has been obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of the National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (No: NIREH/IEC-7-II/1027, dated 07/01/2021). Discussion: This manuscript describes the protocol for a multi-disciplinary study that aims to conduct environmental monitoring and health assessment in residential areas near viscose rayon and associated chemical manufacturing industries. Although India is the second largest manufacturer of rayon, next only to China, and viscose rayon manufacturing has been documented to be a source of multiple toxic pollutants, there is a lack of comprehensive information about the health effects of residing near such manufacturing units in India. Therefore implementing this study protocol will aid in filling in this knowledge gap.

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