Health Risks and Dust Exposure among Flour Mill Workers in Eastern India: A Comprehensive Study

Flour milling, a prevalent agricultural industry in semi-urban and urban areas of India, involves grinding whole wheat to produce flour. However, this indoor occupation exposes workers to hazardous flour dust for prolonged periods without adequate ventilation. To investigate the health implications, a study was conducted on 142 flour mill workers in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The findings revealed significant health issues, including respiratory problems (20%), eye irritation (8.6%), headache (11.4%), and shortness of breath (31.4%) among workers. Alarming levels of PM2.5 (330–385 ?g m-3) and PM10 (420–470 ?g m-3) dust particles were recorded. Notably, workers with over 10-15 years of experience displayed reduced pulmonary function, with a decline in force vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). To mitigate these risks, the study recommends implementing personal protective equipment, improved ventilation, and regular medical care for flour mill workers.