Pulmonary Function Impairment and Respiratory Symptoms among Commercial Stone Quarry Workers

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 11, No. 4, April 2021 | pp. 25–32

DOI: 10.46882/2021/IJMMS/110025

Original Research Article

Pulmonary Function Impairment and Respiratory Symptoms among Commercial Stone Quarry Workers

Festus M. Tetteh¹, Kingsley C. Amadi², Arthur J. Bond¹*

¹Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

²Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Chronic exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust during stone crushing causes progressive airway inflammation and parenchymal damage. This cross-sectional analytical study evaluated the prevalence of occupational respiratory symptoms and chronic lung function alterations among commercial stone quarry workers. We matched 140 male quarry workers exposed to stone dust for at least 3 years with 140 unexposed healthy male control subjects based on age, height, and body mass index. Respiratory profiles were evaluated using the Medical Research Council questionnaire, and lung parameters were captured via computerized spirometry. Quarry workers exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of chronic dry cough (42.1% vs. 11.4%, p < 0.01), chest tightness (32.9% vs. 7.1%, p < 0.01), and exertional dyspnea (35.7% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.01) than the control cohort. Spirometric evaluations revealed significant reductions in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (3.12 ± 0.38 L vs. 3.91 ± 0.41 L, p < 0.01) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) (2.28 ± 0.32 L vs. 3.24 ± 0.36 L, p < 0.01) in the exposed group. The FEV1/FVC ratio was also significantly reduced in quarry workers (73.07 ± 4.8% vs. 82.86 ± 3.5%, p < 0.05), indicating a mixed pattern of ventilatory restriction and obstruction. Regression analysis showed that exposure duration > 5 years was strongly correlated with a larger reduction in FVC (r = -0.62, p < 0.01). Occupational exposure to stone dust induces severe respiratory symptoms and impairs lung function. Mandatory use of appropriate personal respirators, industrial wet-drilling engineering modifications, and regular medical screening are necessary to safeguard worker health.

Keywords: Silica Dust, Stone Quarry, Spirometry, Forced Vital Capacity, Occupational Health, Lung Impairment

Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 02, 2020; Revised: January 14, 2021; Accepted: February 05, 2021; Published: April 15, 2021.

Citation: Tetteh FM, Amadi KC, Bond AJ. Pulmonary Function Impairment and Respiratory Symptoms among Commercial Stone Quarry Workers. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2021, 11(4): 25–32. DOI: 10.46882/2021/IJMMS/110025

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