Respiratory symptoms, spirometric, and radiological status of stone‐cutting workers in Bangladesh: A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inhalation of respirable silica dust during several stone processing methods can result in several respiratory diseases. However, data are scarce regarding the respiratory health of stone‐cutting workers in Bangladesh. We aimed to determine the point prevalence of respiratory symptoms, lung function status and radiological abnormalities among the stone‐cutting workers. METHODS: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 200 stone‐cutting workers. Adult workers having a job experience of at least 3 years participated in this study. Then inquiry was made regarding respiratory symptoms with the help of a preformed questionnaire. All the participants underwent chest X‐ray and spirometry. A respiratory dust sampler was used to measure the dust concentration of the stone‐cutting factories. RESULTS: Among the 200 stone‐cutting workers, 89% (178) showed at least one chronic respiratory symptom while they had chest tightness (75.5%), chronic cough (74.5%), and shortness of breath (66.5%) as the most prominent ones. Spirometry findings revealed that the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) value was 1.42± 0.65 L in the obstructive pattern, 1.43 ± 0.73 L in the restrictive pattern. The mean forced vital capacity (FVC) value was 2.53 ± 1.12 L in the obstructive pattern, 1.53 ± 0.75 L in the restrictive pattern. 42.69% of stone‐cutting workers who complained of at least one respiratory symptom had abnormal chest X‐ray findings. Those with progressive massive fibrosis had the lowest mean FEV(1) value (0.75 ± 0.50 L). While measuring workplace dust concentration, we found high particulate matter (PM) 2.5 (979.78 µg/m(3)) and PM 10 (1298.35 µg/m(3)) values. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the stone‐cutting workers in our study exhibited different respiratory symptoms. These symptoms were associated with abnormal lung function and radiology. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to determine the actual dimension of this problem.