Silica exposure and disease in semi-precious stone craftsmen, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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2017
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Background Brazil is an exporter of precious stones and craftsmen often work in poor
conditions. We assessed silica-related diseases among crystal craftsmen and the
complexity of its control.
Methods Case-series including 118 subjects evaluated from 2006 to 2015, based on
medical interviews, chest X-rays, spirometry, and respirable silica samples.
Results Median age and length of exposure were 32 and 13 years, respectively. Silicosis,
with 1/0 as a threshold, was diagnosed radiologically in 57 individuals (48.3%).
Respirable silica concentrations were 0.9–29.3 times greater than the Brazilian
occupational exposure limit. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve with
the same diagnosis threshold showed best discrimination at a cut point of 12.5 years of
exposure, corresponding to 4.85 mg-y/m3 of cumulative silica exposure. There was a
significant decline in FEV1 across radiological and cumulative silica exposure categories.
Eleven individuals (9.3%) had mycobacterial diseases at baseline or follow-up.
Conclusion Crystal craftsmen continue to suffer from silicosis, lung function
impairment, comorbidity, and death due to silicosis. To date collective protection in
some work sheds has not diminished silica levels. Long-term follow-up is needed to
evaluate further improvements in preventive measures.
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Silicosis, Occupational exposure, Spirometry, Tuberculosis
Citação
CARNEIRO, A. P. S. et al. Silica exposure and disease in semi-precious stone craftsmen, Minas Gerais, Brazil. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, v. 60, p. 239-247, 2017. Disponível em: <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajim.22682>. Acesso em: 29 ago. 2017.