Abstract
Introduction: Occupational stone dust exposure may result in several health risks tuberculosis (TB) silicosis, obstructive as well as restrictive lung diseases, among which TB is more prevalent in developing countries like India. Most people residing in Bhedaghat engaged in carving statues from variable stones and marble rocks belongs to poor socioeconomic conditions and unaware of the preventive measures. Ultimately they end up in chronic respiratory problems and various complications. Objective: The study was carried out to find the effect of marble stone dust exposure on the prevalence of TB and to study some of associated epidemiological factors and effect of working environment. Materials and Methods: The present study is cross-sectional study with a comparison group, which was matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status, unexposed to similar working environment, that is, carving and cutting marble stones. Using interview technique demographic, occupational and clinical details were recorded on the predesigned proforma. For pulmonary TB among study subjects already detected, cases were included, and those strongly suggestive on the basis of clinical history were confirmed by means subsequent sputum smear examination and radiography. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Statistical Software Package Epi Info 7. Results and Conclusion: Overall prevalence of pulmonary TB was 6.25% among marble stone workers while in the comparison group it was 4.38%. Among marble stone workers, the prevalence was more among workers working in closed and congested room and not using any personal protective measures and employed in stone cutting for >5 years.
Highlights
Marble is a metamorphic limestone that is widely used in the sculpturing of statues and the construction of buildings and monuments
Most of people living there engaged in carving statues from variable stones and marble rocks are exposed to the dust, which contains particles of calcium carbonate and silica
Stone dust exposure may result in several health risks among which tuberculosis (TB) is more prevalent in developing countries like India
Summary
Marble is a metamorphic limestone that is widely used in the sculpturing of statues and the construction of buildings and monuments. Most of people living there engaged in carving statues from variable stones and marble rocks are exposed to the dust, which contains particles of calcium carbonate and silica. In a place like Bhedaghat most of the people earn their living by tourism They sale the major attraction of the area, that is, marble. Most people there are engaged in carving statues from variable stones and marble rocks These people live in poor socioeconomic conditions and are illiterate so unaware of the preventive measures that are require. They end up in chronic respiratory problems and various complications.[3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Medicine and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
