Publication:

A research on effects of tobacco dust on status of total thiol in bidi industry workers

Background Bidi industries workers handle tobacco ingredients during rolling of bidi and inhale tobacco dust and volatile component are present in the work environment. Tobacco absorbed by the body in tremendous amount leading to preventable cause of disease, disability and including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular, carcinomas, premature death exposure among bidi workers. The goal of this study was to occupational exposure of tobacco dust on status of total thiol level in bidi workers.

Methods Healthy controls - 30 subjects and 90 bidi workers were further subdivided on the basis of work experience in years as, Group-I: 5-9 years (30 subjects), Group-II: 10-14 years (30 subjects), Group-III: 15-19 years (30 subjects). Authors are measure total thiol concentration and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. All the biochemical parameters measured in study group subjects were statistically compared with those estimated in controls.

Results Highly significant decrease in levels of total thiol was found in all groups of bidi workers as compared to healthy controls (p<0.001) and serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were significantly elevated in all groups of bidi workers when compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). The study groups indicates that decline the total thiol gradually progresses with increase in exposure period to tobacco dust.

Conclusions The study groups showed that decrease the total thiol level and increases the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in all groups of bidi workers compared with healthy controls.