A controlled study of lung function in cashew-nut factory workers.

To investigate a possible relation between work in cashew-nut factories and impairment of lung function, peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured with a mini-Wright peak flow meter in 227 cashew workers and 59 controls. There was no significant difference between values in the two groups. Further investigation of the problem is suggested. The mean value of PEF for all examinees, who were black males with a mean age of 29 years and a mean height of 164 cm, was 550 l/min (SD 69 l/m).