Fibre Cement Products Manufacturers Association donates spirometer to University of Ruhuna Faculty o

Fibre Cement Product Manufacturers Association Coordinator Anton Edema handing over the Lung Function Test Apparatus to University of Ruhuna Faculty of Medicine Head of Physiology Department Dr. Janaka Lenora while officials from FCPMA and Faculty of Medicine look on

In a bid to improve the standard of occupational health and safety in Sri Lanka, The Fibre Cement Products Manufacturers Association (FCPMA) donated a ‘spirometer’, also known as a lung function test apparatus to the Faculty of Medicine at a function held at the University of Ruhuna recently. 

The spirometer is a device to measure the air capacity of the lungs and is a highly valuable medical diagnostic tool that could identify causes for many respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis. Other tests – such as residual volume, gas diffusion tests, body plethysmography, inhalation challenge tests, and exercise stress tests also could be carried out by the spirometer. 

The event saw representation from members of the FCPMA and many officials of the University of Ruhuna, who advised the attendees on the importance of taking corrective measures to improve the lung related medical diagnosis in Sri Lanka, by enhancing the quality of Occupational Health and Safety of our workforce. 

Further, speaking at the event, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at University of Ruhuna said, “On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I extend my gratitude to FCPMA and its member companies for fulfilling a dire need of our medical faculty. Spirometry is the first and most commonly done lung function test, which determines how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. The new device functions as a full spirometry-testing unit, which offers airway resistance by occlusion technique, respiratory mechanics and oxygen saturimetry with integrated SpO2 monitor. The ‘Pony FX’ – spirometer device is equipped with OMNIA software for data management, real time testing and interpretation on PC. This device is the first of its kind to be gifted to our Faculty of Medicine.”

The FCPMA, which overlooks and governs the quality and safe production of Chrysotile Roofing Sheets in Sri Lanka acts as the Research and Development hub for Rhino Roofing Products Ltd., Sri Ramco Ltd., Built Elements Ltd. (Elephant Masconite) and Sigiri Roofings Ltd. who are the leading manufacturers of Chrysotile Roofing Sheets in the island. Chrysotile fibre is a natural mineral found on earth formed by a combination of Magnesium, Silica and Water mined only in countries such as Russia and Brazil. 

Chrysotile Roofing Sheets in Sri Lanka are produced with a combination of 92% of cement and water along with 8% of Chrysotile Fibre for strength. With the sole responsibility of maintaining a healthy work force in Sri Lanka, the association requests the public to adhere by safe usage of all Chrysotile Roofing Sheets. 

The production process of the Chrysotile Roofing Sheets complies with Sri Lankan quality standards such as ‘SLS9’ for public’s safe usage. Therefore, it is considered a non-health hazardous product in Sri Lanka.