Abstract
BackgroundExposures 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.MethodsIt 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 t-test were applied to draw inferences.ResultsThe 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%, silico-tuberculosis was 7.4%, tuberculosis was 10.0%, and other respiratory diseases like emphysema and pleural effusion were diagnosed among 4.3% workers.ConclusionPrevalence of silico-tuberculosis, silicosis and other respiratory morbidities are high among sandstone mine workers.
Highlights
Silicosis is a progressive and disabling interstitial lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica and is irreversible
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
Prevalence of silico-tuberculosis, silicosis and other respiratory morbidities are high among sandstone mine workers
Summary
Silicosis is a progressive and disabling interstitial lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica and is irreversible. This incurable disease affects millions of workers engaged in hazardous dusty occupations in many countries. [3] With its potential to cause progressive physical disability, silicosis continues to be one of the most important occupational health illnesses in the world. The occupational diseases associated with inhalation of respirable crystalline silica are silicosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, mycobacterial, fungal, and bacterial lung infections. 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
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