Background: Charcoal

production workers work in conditions involving a high level of wood smoke. Wood smoke exposure in humans causes respiratory symptoms.

Objective: To study the pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms of charcoal plant workers, and

compare their pulmonary function with rubber planters.

Materials and methods: A comparative study was conducted to compare the pulmonary function and

respiratory symtoms between charcoal workers and rubber planters.

Results: This study examined a total of 50 charcoal workers and 50 rubber planters. The charcoal workers were found to have signifi cantly more coughs (84%), sputum production (82%), dyspnea (42%), wheezing (32%), nasal irritation (80%), and nasal congestion (26%) than the control group. The mean + SD values of ratio between the forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) and Peak expiratory fl ow (PEF%) as determined by spirometer test in the charcoal workers were significantly lower than in the control group. The mean + SD value of Peak expiratory fl ow (PEF) by peak fl owmeter test in the charcoal workers.

Conclusion: The present study showed an association between wood smoke exposure in charcoal workers with respiratory symptoms and decreased pulmonary function, because the charcoal production process requires lengthy periods of curing during which a large amount of wood smoke is generated, which is breathed by the workers.