Prevalence of Silicosis and Related Factors among Workers of Stone Carving Workshops in Khomeinishahr, Iran

Silicosis is a lung disease with irreversible and slow evolution which is one of the occupational diseases، and has no symptoms in the early stages، and the main symptoms are exclusively radiological signs. Symptoms are depending upon age، individual susceptibility، working history، smoking and exposure time. The aim of this study was to review the prevalence of silicosis and its related factors among the stone carving workers in Khomeinishahr، Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted using census method on 70 stone carving workers. Required data were obtained by workers’ form No. 1 for check-ups and form S-5 for workers exposure to silica. Chest X-Ray was obtained from all the subjects and was examined by an occupational medicine physician. Data were analyzed through chi-square، Mann-Whitney and independent t-test.

The mean age of patients with silicosis was 46. 4 ± 18. 4 years. 28. 57% of the patients had less than 20 years of experience. Besides 3 out of the 7 patients with this disease were smokers. Chi-square test showed a statistically significant association between smoking and risk of silicosis (P = 0. 05). Independent t-test showed no statistically significant association between experience and age in silicosis patients.

Due to the risk of 15. 6% among the workers، occupational health authorities have to provide more accurate plans for improving workplace conditions، timely medical examination and control of harmful agents in the workplace to protect and maintain the health of such individuals.