Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to respirable silica dust: A historical cohort study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11642
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15T02:01:07Z
• Authors: Younes Sohrabi; Sobhan Sabet; Saeed Yousefinejad; Fatemeh Rahimian; Mohammad Aryaie; Esmaeel Soleimani; Saeed Jafari
• Keywords: Silicosis

BackgroundThe adverse health effects of silica are still a major concern in some industries. The purpose this study was to evaluate pulmonary function group sub-radiological silicotic workers after 11 years dust exposure.MethodsThe sample consisted 381 exposed and 254 non-exposed workers. history parameters obtained from workers' medical records. data were collected through interviews with employees completing questionnaires on demographic variables, detailed occupational history, respiratory symptoms. Workers' exposure also determined.ResultsThe mean frequency 6.3 times greater than its limit. All significantly lower the silica-exposed workers, difference between two groups statistically significant adjusting potential confounding variables. FEV1 showed greatest reduction, FVC decreasing trend. Also prevalence symptoms higher smokers nonsmokers among workers.ConclusionsEven absence radiographic evidence silicosis, high levels is associated reductions function. In radiological progressive deterioration over time most likely indicates silicosis. severity duration exposure. Exposure sub-TLV may not affect Smoking appears have synergistic effect relatively exposures.