A Study On Occupational Rhinitis Among School Teachers In Suburban Areas Of Chennai

Abstract

Rhinitis is the common condition of irritation and inflammation of the mucus membrane inside the nose. Rhinitis can be caused by infection, allergies, air pollution, or structural problems in the nose. This causes mucus and pus to fill up the nose and sinus cavities and causes pain in the face, plugged nose, thick nasal mucous and irritation. Rhinitis is also caused due to air pollution (dust) and thus rhinitis occurrence is strongly dependent on person’s occupation. Occupational rhinitis is specific for those working in industries (textile, wood carving, asbestos, fertilizer industry etc.,), construction worker and also found to be prevalent among teachers. Our zone of interest lies on teachers who are exposed to dust (chalk powder) due to frequent use of the chalk piece. Chalk dust could be harmful
causing rhinitis, lacrimation and breathing problems in long run. Present work was attempted to discover the positivity of various symptoms which includes coughing, sneezing, sore throat, nasal drainage, eye irritation, nasal blockage, headache, asthma, palate itching, loss of smell and its influences on teachers in the occurrence of rhinitis. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine the effect of occupational exposure to chalk dust on occurrence of rhinitis in teachers.