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Introduction Occupation is the one in which person not only earns daily bread but also spends one
third of their life time. Occupational pulmonary diseases are more widespread and more disabling
than any other group of occupational disease. Environmental factors influence respiratory
morbidities significantly, occupational exposure being among the most important. So,The
powerloom workers have increased prevalence of both obstructive and restrictive lung functions.
Aim of the study: The study was designed to assess the Peak expiratory flow rate with years of
exposure in powerloom workers . Materials & Methods: 250 subjects between the age group of 30-
70 years who volunteered to enroll for the study were selected in a rural area in Salem district.
Peak expiratory flow rate was measured by using Wrights peak flow meter. Results: The result
shows the subjects who were exposed to the dust for ≥ 2 years were found to have lower PEF than
those who were exposed for < 2 years. Conclusion: This present study may be used to know the
hazards of cotton exposure and this study may also be used to prevent the occupational hazards in
Power loom workers by using the preventive measures of decreased exposure to work by shift
method, proper ventilation, using mask while working time, and routine physical examination for
every one year.
Keywords: power loom workers, peak expiratory flow rate, and pulmonary function