Preventive Strategies for Reduction of Occupational Exposure of Free Crystalline Silica Dust in Steel Foundry and Stone Crusher Unit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55184/ijpas.v72i1.38Keywords:
Occupational Exposure, Mineral extraction operations, Free Crystalline Silica DustAbstract
Mineral extraction operations are characterized by large quantities of dust emission in the environment. Persons who are working in such environments are potentially exposed to the harmful effects of respirable mineral dust, such as impaired lung function. This study investigated the prevalence and correlated the lung function impairment and dust concentrations with different preventive measures followed in the steel foundry as well as stone crusher workers in West Bengal, an eastern part of India.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on steel foundry workers and also workers employed in stone crushing units. Both types of workers are exposed to free crystalline silica dust in their workplaces. To assess the effectiveness of control measures of dust, the lung function impairment was correlated with types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used by them. The results were analyzed using statistical tools, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Chi-square test to evaluate the significance level.
The PPEs used by them were not proper , so it did not prevent lung function impairment For the reduction of airborne dust concentration levels at the stated workplaces, a sprinkling of water was applied. Before and after the sprinkling of water, dust concentration was measured using the NIOSH method-7601 and 7602 (CDC, 2005). The concentration of dust level before and after the application of water sprinkling was found to be statistically significant by using a t-test (α<0.05). Therefore, the periodical water sprinkling method may be applied as a preventive measure for the exposure of dust at work and environment. Use of proper PPE and other recommendations should be implemented.
References
Althouse, R.B., Bang, K.M., and Castellan, R.M., (1995): Tuberculosis co mortality with silicosis-United States, 1979-1991. Appl. Occup Environ Hyg. 10 (12), 1037-1041
Al-Neaimi YI, Gomes J, Lloyd OL, (2001): Respiratory illnesses and ventilator function among workers at a cement factory in a rapidly developing country. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 51: 367-671.
Ampian, S. G., and Virta, R. L., (1992): Crystalline silica overview: occurrence and analysis, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 9317. NTIS No. PB92-200997.
Antao, V. C. D. S., Pinheiro, G. A., Kavakama, J. and Terra-Filho, M. (2004): High prevalence of silicosis among stone carvers in Brazil. Am. J. Ind. Med., 45: 194–201.
American Thoracic Society (ATS), (1997): Adverse effects of crystalline silica exposure, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 155, 761-768.
Bang, K. M., Mazurek, J. M., Wood, J. M., White, G. E., Hendricks, S. A., and Weston, A., (2015): Silicosis mortality trends and new exposures to respirable crystalline silica -United States, 2001–2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 64(5), 117-120.
Benton M., (2012): Dust masks for Indian quarry workers: A comparative analysis of the filtering efficiency of fabrics, Journal of Humanitarian Engineering, 1(1), 15-20.
Brunekreef, B. and Forsberg, B., (2005): Epidemiological evidence of effects of coarse airborne particles on health, European Respiratory Journal, 26, 309-318.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2005): Silicosis Mortality Trends and New Exposures to Respirable Crystalline Silica -United States, 2001–2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 64(05), 117-120.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) (1995): Proportionate mortality from pulmonary tuberculosis associated with occupations 28 states, 1979– 1990. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 44(1), 14-19.
Chattopadhyay, B.P., Gangopadhyay, P.K., Gangopadhyay, T.S. and Alam, J. (2006): Comparison of Pulmonary Function Test Abnormalities between Stone Crushing Dust Exposed and Non-exposed Agricultural Workers, Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (Japan), 11, 191-198.
Ferreira, L. R., Pinheiro, T. M, Siqueira, A., L., et al., (2008): Silicosis among semiprecious gem cutters in Joaquim Felicio, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, Cadernos de Saudepublica, 24(7), 1517- 1526.
Hnizdo E, Baskind E, Sluis-cremer GK., (1990): Combined effect of silica dust exposure and tobacco smoking on the prevalence of respiratory impairments among gold miners. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 6 (6): 411-422.
Hnizdo, E and Vallyathan, V (2003): Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to occupational exposure of silica dust : a review of epidemiological and pathological evidence, Occup Environ Med, 60, 237-243.
Ikeda, M., Ogawa, S., and Imai, H., (2003): Mortality due to Silico-Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer among 200 Whetstone Cutters, Industrial Health, 41, 231-235.
Ilahi, I., Khan, A., Ali, M., Ullah, U., Ali, J. and Khan, M., (2012): Effects of Stone Dust Exposure on Some Liver and Kidney Related Serum Parameters of Stone Crush Plant Workers, Journal of Biology and Life Science, 3(1), 211-219.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), (1997): IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, Silica,somesilicates,coal dust and para-aramid fibrils, Vol. 68, Lyon, France, World Health Organization, p.63.
Kashyap, S. K (1994): Occupational Pneumoconiosis and Tuberculosis, Ind. J. Tub, 41, 73-79.
Laima C.N.S., Banda Y. S. and Siziya(2012): Prevalence and Correlates of Lung Function
Impairment Among Miners at Nchanga Open-Pit Copper Mine in Chingola, Zambia, Medical Journal of Zambia, 39(2): 66-70.
Manjula, R., Praveena, R., Rashmi, R. C., Ghattargi, C. H., Dorle, A. S. and Lalitha D. H., (2013): Health status of Portland cement factory workers, International Journal of Medicine and Public Health., 3(3), 192-196.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (1992): Request for assistance in preventing silicosis and deaths in rock drillers. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-107.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). (2016): Interventions on Silicosis India First Edition, 10 December, 2016, PP-1-21.
Nandi SS, Dhatrak V, Chaterjee MD, Dhumne LU. (2009), Heath Survey in Gypsum mines in India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 34(3): 343-345.
Noor, H., Yap, C.L., Zolkepli, O. and Faridah, M. (2000): Effect of Exposure to dust on Lung Function of Cement Factory Workers, Med J Malaysia, 55(1), 51-57.
