A clinical analysis on silicosis in 50 quarrying workers

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical features of silicosis in quarrying workers.Methods A clinical analysis was conducted in 50 quarrying workers with silicosis.Results The age of onset was ( 39.1 ± 5.4 ) years and time of symptom development after getting the job was ( 7.3 ± 3.6 ) years.The affected workers were mostly for stone explosion ( 40％ ), and stone breaking ( 26％ ).Respiratory symptoms were mainly coughing ( 60％ ), chest pain t ( 48％ ),and phlegm ( 34％ ).Small round opacities ‘q’ and ‘p’ on chest films were 78％ and 22％,respectively.Lung dysfunction developed in 8％ of the workers,blood gas abnormalities in 42％,and abnormal electrocardiogram in 28％.40％ of the workers completely lost labor ability due to silicosis.Conclusions The clinical features of silicosis in quarrying workers are older age of onset,longer duration of dust exposure,and more respiratory symptoms.chest radiographic examination mainly shows small round opacities ‘q’.The incidence of lung dysfunction and blood gas abnormalities are lower.The clinical features of suarrying workersare similar with those of gem processing workers,but the symptoms are milder. Key words: Quarrying workers; Silicosis; Silicon; Clinical features; Degrees of silicosis-induced disability