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Ojha UC, Kumar S, Pal RS, Gothi D, Garg P, Yasaswini G, Patro M, Kumar R, Malhotra N. Sculpting - A Modern Menace. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2024; 28:127-131. [PMID: 39114097 PMCID: PMC11302543 DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_222_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sculpting is a common occupation in India. However, there have been no studies from India on sculpting-related silicosis. Aims The aims of this study were to evaluate- 1. awareness of disease related to sculpting. 2. Clinical, radiological, and physiological parameters in "sculpting workers" suffering from silicosis. Settings and Design This was a retrospective evaluation of data collected during compensation visits for silicosis in workers of the sculpting industries. Methods and Material The data were collected between January 2021 to April 2023. A total of 114 patients were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation including awareness about the disease, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest, and spirometry. Results The majority of patients (109) (95%) did not use any personal protective equipment while at work and did not have any awareness regarding preventive measures. On chest radiography, small opacities (rounded or irregular) and large opacities were seen in 84 (73.7%) and 26 (22.8%) patients, respectively. The size of large opacities was significantly proportionate with duration of job (P = 0.019). HRCT chest was more sensitive compared to chest radiographs. 94 (82.4%) patients were having abnormal spirometric findings. Conclusions The benefits of prevention of silica dust exposure and patient education considerably outweigh the benefits of early detection and treatment of silicosis, as there was an increase in the size of lesions with increasing duration of exposure. There should be a national health program on silicosis to protect worker's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh C. Ojha
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Ramesh S. Pal
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Dipti Gothi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Pranzal Garg
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Ganjam Yasaswini
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Mahismita Patro
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
| | - Nipun Malhotra
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMSR-ESIC Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
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Kayembe-Kitenge T, Kabange Umba I, Musa Obadia P, Mbuyi-Musanzayi S, Nkulu Banza P, Katoto PDMC, Katshiez Nawej C, Kalenga Ilunga G, Haufroid V, Banza Lubaba Nkulu C, Nawrot T, Nemery B. Respiratory Health and Urinary Trace Metals among Artisanal Stone-Crushers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17249384. [PMID: 33334018 PMCID: PMC7765357 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background: Thousands of artisanal workers are exposed to mineral dusts from various origins in the African Copperbelt. We determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and urinary metals among artisanal stone-crushers in Lubumbashi. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 48 male artisanal stone-crushers and 50 male taxi-drivers using a standardized questionnaire and spirometry. Concentrations of trace metals were measured by Inductively Coupled - Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in urine spot samples. Results: Urinary Co, Ni, As, and Se were higher in stone-crushers than in control participants. Wheezing was more prevalent (p = 0.021) among stone-crushers (23%) than among taxi-drivers (6%). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the job of a stone-crusher was associated to wheezing (adjusted Odds Ratio 4.45, 95% Confidence Interval 1.09–18.24). Stone-crushers had higher values (% predicted) than taxi-drivers for Forced Vital Capacity (105.4 ± 15.9 vs. 92.2 ± 17.8, p = 0.048), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (104.4 ± 13.7 vs. 88.0 ± 19.6, p = 0.052), and Maximum Expiratory Flow at 25% of the Forced Vital Capacity (79.0.1 ± 20.7 vs. 55.7 ± 30.1, p = 0.078). Conclusion: Stone-crushers were more heavily exposed to mineral dust and various trace elements than taxi-drivers, and they had a fourfold increased risk of reporting wheezing, but they did not have evidence of more respiratory impairment than taxi-drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Kayembe-Kitenge
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.C.K.); (T.N.)
| | - Irene Kabange Umba
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
| | - Paul Musa Obadia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.C.K.); (T.N.)
| | - Sebastien Mbuyi-Musanzayi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
| | - Patient Nkulu Banza
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
| | - Patrick D. M. C. Katoto
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.C.K.); (T.N.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Prof Lurhuma Biomedical Research Laboratory, Mycobacterium Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Cyrille Katshiez Nawej
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
| | - Georges Kalenga Ilunga
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Vincent Haufroid
- Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (T.K.-K.); (I.K.U.); (P.M.O.); (S.M.-M.); (P.N.B.); (G.K.I.); (C.B.L.N.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.C.K.); (T.N.)
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.D.M.C.K.); (T.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-1633-0801
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Leghari SK, Zaidi MA, Siddiqui MF, Sarangzai AM, Sheikh SUR. Dust exposure risk from stone crushing to workers and locally grown plant species in Quetta, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:740. [PMID: 31712911 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7825-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of stone crushing dust pollution on three commonly cultivated fruit plant species (Vitis vinifera L., Morus alba L., and Prunus armeniaca L.) and on the health of workers working at crushing plants. The trial was carried out on fruit plant species grown close to the stone crushing units located near the northwestern (Brewery) bypass of Quetta city, Pakistan, near National Highway NH-25. Plant materials were collected from three polluted sites at a distance of 500, 1000, and 1500 m, respectively, away from the stone crushing units and one locality of comparatively clean air considered a control at 4000 m away from these crushing components. To know the status of air disorder near the experimental sites, the suspended particulate matters and both oxides of sulfur and nitrogen were also noted during operating hours. Consequences of the study indicated that during the crushing process, a fine aerosol of stone dust is often generated which could cause a significant health hazard to workers and also affect plant productivity due to the smothering of plant stomata. Environmental data designated that the average highest evaluated total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), NOx, and SOx were 7400 μg/m3, 803.7 μg/m3, and 216 μg/m3, respectively, at 500-m distance which gradually decreases as the distance increases-all of these pose a health risk to operators. The maximum deposit dust washed from the plant leaf surface under study was found to be 8.2, 4.6, and 4.4 at the distance of 500 m in all the investigated plant species which was highly significantly higher than that of the control site (4000 m). Among the plant species, the maximum dust fall was noted on the leaves of Vitis vinifera L., and minimum was on the leaves of Prunus armeniaca. The locations affected by more stone dust pollution (500 m) were leading to a reduction in the yield and quality of fruits. The studied stone crushing units had high percentages of closed stomata both on the upper sides (Us) and lower sides (Ls) of leaves at 500-m distance from stone crushing installations. Data regarding workers' health indicated the maximum age distribution among the workers was between the age groups of 20-35 years (46.15%). Results also showed that stone crushing workers suffered from symptoms of respiratory diseases (82.17%), allergies (72.13%), headaches (75.09%), coughing (78.36%), and tiredness (92.31%).
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Rahman HH, Johnson GT, Harbison RD. Occupational Health Surveillance: Pulmonary Function Test in Proppant Exposures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/odem.2016.42005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Draid MM, Ben-Elhaj KM, Ali AM, Schmid KK, Gibbs SG. Lung function impact from working in the pre-revolution Libyan quarry industry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:5006-12. [PMID: 25961801 PMCID: PMC4454950 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120505006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the lung impact from working within the Libyan quarry industry, and if the length of work impacted the degree of degradation. Eighty three workers from eight silica quarries in the Nafusa Mountains of Libya opted to participate. These quarries were working the upper cretaceous geological structure. Eighty-five individuals who lived in Gharyan City with no affiliation to quarry operations participated as controls. Spirometry variables evaluated were Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at 1.0 second (FEV1), FVC/FEV1 and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). Control and exposed groups had no differences in terms of height, weight, or smoking status (p = 0.18, 0.20, 0.98, respectively). Prior to adjustment for other variables, FVC, FEV1, and PEF are all significantly lower in the exposed group (p = 0.003, 0.009, 0.03, respectively). After adjustment for age, height, weight, and smoking status, there remain significant differences between the control and exposed groups for FVC, FEV1, and PEF. This analysis demonstrated that exposure to quarry dust has a detrimental effect on lung function, and that pre-revolution Libyan quarry workers were being exposed. This study shows that any exposure is harmful, as the reduction in lung function was not significantly associated with years of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan M Draid
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Forensic Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli 13662, Libya.
| | - Khaled M Ben-Elhaj
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry & Animal nutrition, University of Tripoli, Tripoli 13662, Libya.
| | - Ashraf M Ali
- Division of Zoology, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Basic Sciences, The Libyan Academy, Janzour 72331, Libya.
| | - Kendra K Schmid
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Shawn G Gibbs
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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Agarwal R, Awasthi A, Singh N, Mittal SK, Gupta PK. Epidemiological study on healthy subjects affected by agriculture crop-residue burning episodes and its relation with their pulmonary function tests. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2012; 23:281-295. [PMID: 23227956 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2012.733933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Impact of agriculture crop-residue burning (ACRB) was studied on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of 50 healthy subjects (13-53 years). Human subjects with no previous history of lung disease were residents of five sampling sites. Investigations were carried out from February 2007 to January 2010 using spirometry. Simultaneously, concentration levels of suspended particulate matter (PM) and fine particulates (PM2.5 and PM10) were monitored using high volume sampler and Anderson Cascade Impactor, respectively. The PFTs show a significant (p < 0.05) decrease, while PM shows momentous increase during exhaustive burning of wheat and rice crop residues. Effect of ACRB on the peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) is more than that on force expiratory flow (FEF25-75%). The PEF and FEF25-75% recovered to some extent on completion of burning period, while PFTs like force vital capacity and force expiratory volume did not show a significant improvement. Due to greater concentration of fine particulates during rice crop-residue burning (CRB) than wheat CRB, there was a greater effect on pulmonary functions. The ACRB, in general, poses more effect on the lower and upper age groups in comparison to the middle age group subjects. All the analyses are well supported with large significant levels (p < 0.05) obtained by using the paired t-test.
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Agarwal R, Awasthi A, Mittal S, Singh N, Gupta PK. Effects of air pollution on respiratory parameters during the wheat-residue burning in Patiala. J Med Eng Technol 2010; 34:23-8. [PMID: 19824783 DOI: 10.3109/03091900903261258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Effects of pollution produced by wheat-residue burning on respiratory parameters of healthy inhabitants were investigated for two consecutive wheat cultivation periods (February-July in 2007 and 2008) at Patiala city of Punjab, India. A total of 51 selected subjects of the age group 13-53 were selected from five sites of Patiala for pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including force vital capacity (FVC), force expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and force expiratory flow between 25 to 75% of FVC (FEF(25-75%)) using a spirometer. High volume samplers (HVS) and an Andersen cascade impactor were also used to measure the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate matter (PM) of size less than 10 mum. PFTs show significant decrease and particulate matter shows a significant increase during the burning period of wheat residue. Decrease in FVC and FEV(1) did not recover even after completion of the exhaustive burning period this is a more serious concern then PEF and FEF(25-75%). The results showed that the public exposure to relatively high levels of pollutants during the exhaustive burning period of wheat residue influences the PFTs of even healthy inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Agarwal
- Thapar University, Patiala-147004, Punjab, India.
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