The respiratory functions and radiologic findings of the marble factory workers

Cengizhan SEZGİ, Halide KAYA, Mustafa AYHAN, Hadice ŞEN SELİMOĞLU, Hakan ÖNDER, Abdurrahman ABAKAY, Özlem ABAKAY, Abdullah Çetin TANRIKULU

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the probable effect of exposure to marble dust on respiratory symptoms, respiratory function tests and chest radiogra- phies. Materials and methods: Totally 110 marble workers were enrolled as study group. Marble workers were divid- ed into 4 groups according to work places: block cutting line (Group A, n=25), polishing unit (Group B, n=33), tile cutting unit (Group C, n=31), and office workers (n=21). Control group (Group E, n=30) consisted of similar de- mographical characteristics without dust exposure. Dust concentrations of all groups working environments were measured. The patients administered the questionnaire, and examination findings and respiratory function test re- sults were recorded. Chest graphies were obtained. Results: All of factory workers were male and mean age was 33,4±6,3 years. There was no difference between groups in mean age and cigarette consumption. Dust concentrations were similar in the first three groups, but it was lower in the office. In first three groups, cough and sputum frequencies were more than office group. Re- garding the respiratory function test results, no significant difference was detected between the FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC values. But lower values in first three groups than control group according to FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75 were detected. Although statistically not dif- ferent, more abnormal chest radiographic findings were found in first three groups. Workers, who had a history of marble dust exposure more than ten years, had more chest radiographic abnormalities. Conclusion: Marble dust exposure was related to respi- ratory symptoms and chest radiographic findings in rela- tion to the intensity and duration of exposure in marble factory workers.

Özet

Amaç: Çalışmanın amacı mermer tozuna maruz kalma ile oluşan solunum sistemi semptomları, solunum fonksi- yon testi ve akciğer grafi bulgularını araştırmaktır. Gereç ve yöntem: Mermer fabrikasında çalışan toplam 110 kişi çalışma grubu olarak alındı ve işçiler fabrikada çalıştıkları yerlere göre 4 gruba ayrıldı: blok kesim hattı (Grup A, 25 kişi), cilalama (Grup B, 33 kişi), fayans ke- sim (Grup C, 31 kişi) ve büro elemanı grubu (Grup D, 21 kişi). Kontrol grubu (Grup E) olarak mermer tozu maru- ziyet öyküsü olmayan benzer demografik özelliklere sa- hip 30 kişi alındı. Tüm grupların çalıştığı ortamlardaki toz konsantrasyonları ölçüldü. Olgulara anket uygulandı, fizik muayene ve spirometrik ölçümleri yapıldı. Akciğer grafileri çekildi. Bulgular: Fabrikada çalışan olguların tümü erkek olup yaş ortalaması 33,4±6,3 yıl idi. Gruplar arasında ortalama yaş ve sigara tüketimi açısından farklılık saptanmadı. Toz konsantrasyonlarının ilk üç grup için benzer, büroda ise daha düşük olduğu görüldü. İlk üç çalışma grubunda ofis grubuna göre öksürük ve balgam şikayetleri daha sık bu- lundu (p