Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Turkish Workers with Pneumoconiosis

Abstract

SUMMARYAim: Pneumoconiosis is caused by inhaling dust. The aim of the study was to analyze 208 cases of workers' pneumoconiosis. Method: Patients' files were used for the descriptive study. Results: All patients were male aged 38.82 ± 13 years. The most important symptom was breathlessness. Patients were denim sandblasters (50.5%), dental technicians (12%), coal miners (6.7%), and others. The mean exposure time before pneumoconiosis occurred was shorter in denim sandblasters and teflon kitchenware producers compared to other occupations (5.4 ± 4.2 and 4.5 ± 3.3 years, respectively). Profusion (76.5%) was more than 1/2 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) classification. Pulmonary function tests were negatively correlated with profusion.Conclusion: Denim sandblasters and teflon kitchenware producers have less exposure time before pneumoconiosis occurs and they become symptomatic earlier. As Turkish workers suffering from pneumoconiosis are younger, measures to prevent pneumoconiosis must be the priority of the healthcare authorities.

Dust induces lung fibrosis through dysregulated DNA methylation

“…Among them, 51% of pneumoconiosis happens to coal workers, and coal mine working places are high‐risk areas for pneumoconiosis. In addition to China, pneumoconiosis is one of the common occupational diseases in both developing countries and developed countries including European countries and the United States …”

“…In addition to China, pneumoconiosis is one of the common occupational diseases in both developing countries and developed countries including European countries and the United States. [1][2][3][4] Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is one of the common lung lesions caused by long-term inhalation of dust in the working places. 5 It can be diagnosed by X-ray scanning of patient chest.…”

Silicosis in Turkey: Is it an Endless Nightmare or is There Still Hope?

“…Hospitals in Istanbul and Ankara receive applications throughout the country, but the hospital in Zonguldak mainly deals with coal mine workers who work in the mines around Zonguldak. For example, according to the data of Istanbul Occupational Diseases Hospital for 2008-2010, denim sandblasters (50.5%), dental technicians (12.0%), and coal miners (6.7%) are ranked as the top three groups acquiring pneumoconiosis out of the 208 workers [10], followed by others, including casters, Teflon-pot sandblasters, ceramic workers, sandblasters for other reasons, welders, quartz workers, tunnel workers, raw glass workers, and lathe workers, in the decreasing order. According to a university hospital-based study [11], analyzing the data of 60 workers for 2013-2015, ceramic workers and dental technicians comprised 80% of the cases, in equal numbers (24 for both), and were followed by sandblasters, welders, miners, and marble cutters.…”

Assessment of particulate matter-related pollution in the dental prosthesis laboratory air in terms of worker’s health

“…Kumlama aşamasında ortam havasına karışan silika partiküllerine bağlı olarak silikozis, sistemik lupus eritematozus (SLE), romatoid artrit, renal bozukluklar ve immun sistem anomalileri görülebilmektedir. Kot kumlama işçilerinden sonra silikozisin en yaygın görüldüğü meslek grubunun diş protez teknisyenleri olduğuna dair yapılan çalışmalar mevcuttur [19] [21]. Kaba partiküller (>2,5 μm) daha çok mekanik süreçler sonucu oluşurken, ince partiküller (<2,5 μm, PM2,5) ve çok ince partiküller (<0,1 μm) yanma gibi reaksiyonlar sonucu oluşmaktadır [22].…”