Respiratory health and silicosis in artisanal mine workers in southern Brazil

Abstract

Background Artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) are an important source of employment in southern Brazil. Mining workers are frequently exposed to unhealthy work conditions which increase the risk of occupational diseases. In this study, we assessed the association of sociodemographic factors and the occupational history of artisanal mining workers with the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes. Methods The study was conducted with 258 artisanal mining workers in southern Brazil, who were exposed to dust (mainly crystalline silica) in their work. Information on sociodemographic variables and occupational histories was collected between 2017 and 2018. To estimate the worker's exposure to inhalable dust we use the Advanced REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) Tool (ART). Results Study participants were all men, with an average age of 40 years. Median crude dust exposure estimated by ART was 13.2 mg/m³ and median crude crystalline silica exposure was 1.6 mg/m3. The prevalence ratio (PR) for self‐reported silicosis was 3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.39–7.17) in workers with 20 years or more of mining work. Factors associated with silicosis were age, pack‐years of tobacco use, and body mass index. Smokers were over twice as likely to report respiratory symptoms. Conclusions Our findings indicate that a high prevalence of silicosis and other associated diseases in mining workers is associated with both unhealthy work environment conditions and the health profile of workers. This study is an important step for understanding health outcomes from work in ASM.

Tuberculosis and Silicosis Burden in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in a Large Occupational Health Outreach Programme in Zimbabwe

“…The prevalence of silicosis observed in our study was higher than the prevalence ratio of 3.08 reported in ASMs in southern Brazil [ 31 ]. However, our study employed convenience sampling, whereas the Brazil study employed random sampling.…”

“…This is the first study to be conducted in Zimbabwe and in Africa among ASMs describing the burden of silicosis, silico-TB and TB. Apart from a study conducted in southern Brazil describing the prevalence of silicosis, we did not find comparable studies focusing on ASMs [ 31 ].…”

Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to respirable silica dust: A historical cohort study

“…The mean duration of exposure to silica dust in this study was 9.82 ± 7.04 years. However, some studies have reported a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in silica-exposed workers [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. This discrepancy can be partially attributed to differences in the severity of exposure, duration of exposure, and some methodological flaws in different studies.…”

“…For example, Souza et al. reported a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in artisanal mine workers with a mean silica exposure of 1.6 mg/m 3 [ 38 ]. The severity and duration of exposure in their study were about 9 and 2.3 times higher than those in this study, respectively.…”

Silica-associated lung disease in developing countries

“…In developing countries such as India, the informal sectors of industry are not under statutory controls such as the 1948 Factory Act and thus remain unregulated [63]. This also applies to the artisanal and small-scale gold miners of Brazil, Myanmar and Zimbabwe [64][65][66], but is best exemplified by the agate industry in Gujarat, India. This industry is hundreds of years old and employs 20 000-50 000 workers [55].…”