The respiratory health effects have been documented in
workers exposed to a variety of dusts in small- and largescale
industries, which generate dusts during their production
process [1]. Diseases of the respiratory system
The group of 120 (46 males and 74 females) workers
occupationally exposed to dust from rice mills in 3 districts
(Davangere, Raichur and Bellary) of Karnataka was
included in the study. Additionally, 50 urban dwellers from
the same socio-economic level, not exposed to any kind of
organic dust, were selected as controls. The group consisted
of 24 males and 26 females. The study was performed
during the period of March 2008 to November
2008.