Spirometric Measurements among Quartz Stone Ex‐workers of Gujarat, India

Abstract

Spirometric Measurements among Quartz Stone Ex‐workers of Gujarat, India: Rajnarayan R Tiwari, et al. Occupational Medicine Division, National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, India—The present cross sectional study was carried out among 134 ex‐workers from quartz stone crushing units. Using the interview technique as a tool for data collection, demographic and occupational details of the subjects were recorded on the predesigned proforma. Standard diagnostic criteria were used for diagnosing silicosis and silico‐tuberculosis. The pulmonary functions of the subjects were measured with Spirovit SP‐10. The mean age of the males was found to be 33.18 ± 10.39 yr and that of the females was 30.10 ± 9.3 yr and for the whole group was 31.77 ± 9.99 yr. Mean duration of exposure was 2.74 ± 1.65 yr. The study variables included age, sex, duration of exposure, smoking and respiratory morbidity. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) which suggests lung parenchymal disorders was found to be significantly reduced with female sex, presence of smoking, increasing duration of exposure and presence of pneumoconiosis, whereas the lung function parameters indicating the status of airways were found to be significantly reduced with all the factors. Therefore, it was concluded that quartz stone workers exposed to approximately 100% free silica had deteriorated lung function which can be attributed mainly to respiratory disorders along with other epidemiological factors such as age, sex, duration of exposure and smoking.

Occupational Exposure to Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter and Lung Functions Deterioration of Steel Workers: An Exploratory Study in India

“…These are reduced at low lung volumes both in restrictive and obstructive diseases. Tiwari et al [3] reported that lung function measurements, even after adjusting for age, weight, and smoking habits, were significantly lower in the silica dust exposure group than in the control group. Mikov [11] showed that the mean FEV, of foundry workers was considerably lower than that of a control group irrespective of the smoking habit.…”

“…where is the volume of the air sampled in m 3 , is the average flow rate of air sampled, L/min, is the sampling time, min, 1000 is the conversion from L to m 3 .…”

“…Ventilatory function (FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC, and PEF) was significantly lower in the exposed workers compared with unexposed workers. In another cross-sectional study, the quartz stone workers exposed to approximately 100% free silica were found to have deteriorated lung function which could be attributed mainly to respiratory disorders along with other epidemiological factors such as sex, age, duration of exposure, and smoking [3]. Koo et al [4] reported that mean values for all ventilatory indices except FVC in foundry workers were significantly lower than those in control subjects.…”

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.…”

Burst abdomen: an unusual complication of silicosis in pregnancy

“…Pulmonary function tests performed in silica exposure patients may show restrictive as well as obstructive changes 4. Peak expiratory flow and forced vital capacity are both reported to be reduced in chronically exposed individuals 7. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) study is rarely indicated.…”