Silico-tuberculosis, silicosis and other respiratory morbidities among sandstone mine workers in Rajasthan- a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Exposures to respirable crystalline silica causes silicosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, autoimmune disorders and chronic renal disease. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of silico-tuberculosis, silicosis and other respiratory morbidities in sandstone mine workers in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. Methods It was a cross-sectional study done in sandstone mines in Jodhpur. A total of 15 mines were selected. The sample size was calculated and fixed to 174 mine workers. Chi-square and ttest were applied to draw inferences. Results The mean age of the mine workers was 39.13 ± 11.09 years. Three fourth (75.3%) of the workers were working for more than ten years in mines. Around 30.0% had a history of tuberculosis. Abnormal spirometry was found in 89.2% of workers. Around 42% of mine workers were found with abnormal chest x-rays. Prevalence of silicosis was 37.3%, silicotuberculosis was 7.4%, tuberculosis was 10.0%, and other respiratory diseases like emphysema and pleural effusion were diagnosed among 4.3% workers. Conclusion Prevalence of silico-tuberculosis, silicosis and other respiratory morbidities are high among sandstone mine workers.

Respiratory Health and Urinary Trace Metals among Artisanal Stone-Crushers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lubumbashi, DR Congo

“…In Pakistan, Leghari et al [ 6 ] described high prevalences of respiratory symptoms among stone-crushing workers. In India, studies among quartz stone grinders by Tiwari et al [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ] and among sandstone crushers by Singh et al [ 34 , 35 ] and Rajavel et al [ 36 ] identified silicosis, silico-tuberculosis, and respiratory functional impairment in a high proportion of exposed workers, even at a young age. In Nigeria, Nwibo et al [ 37 ] studied 403 male and female stone quarrying workers [mean age 30 years (SD 9 years)] by means of a questionnaire, spirometry, and chest radiography, and they concluded (without having a control group) that stone quarrying may increase the risk of respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.…”

Respiratory Health and Urinary Trace Metals among Artisanal Stone-crushers: a Cross-sectional Study in Lubumbashi, DR Congo

“…In Pakistan, Leghari et al [6] described high prevalences of respiratory symptoms among stone-crushing workers. In India, studies among quartz stone grinders by Tiwari et al [30][31][32][33] and among sandstone crushers by Singh et al [34,35] and Rajavel et al [36] identified silicosis, silico-tuberculosis, and respiratory functional impairment in a high proportion of exposed workers, even at a young age. In Nigeria, Nwibo et al [37] studied 403 male and female stone quarrying workers [mean age 30 years (SD 9 years)] by means of a questionnaire, spirometry, and chest radiography, and they concluded (without having a control group) that stone quarrying may increase the risk of respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.…”

Review Sistematik: Identifikasi Bahaya Paparan Debu Silika pada Pekerja Tambang

“…Paparan silika kristal respirable dapat menyebabkan silikosis, tuberkulosis paru, penyakit paru obstruktif kronik, kanker paru, gangguan autoimun dan penyakit ginjal kronis. 15 Kegiatan penambangan seperti pengeboran, pemotongan, dan penghancuran mineral dan batu yang mengandung kristal silika melepaskan silika bebas di lingkungan kerja. Penghirupan dan pengendapan partikel debu silika menghasilkan peradangan persisten bersama dengan pembentukan granuloma dan fibrosis jaringan paru-paru, mengakibatkan pengurangan kapasitas fungsional paru-paru.…”