Respiratory system symptoms in marble quarry and marble factory workers

Abstract

In this study, respiratory system symptoms developed in workers working in 35 marble factories, 20 marble quarries in Afyonkarahisar İscehisar region were examined and compared. 35 marble factories and 20 marble quarries belonging to these factories in the İscehisar region of Afyonkarahisar were scanned. A total of 553 workers, 58 women and 495 men, were included in the study. Demographic information, respiratory system symptoms and respiratory system diseases were investigated. Statistically, convenience sampling method was used in the selection of marble quarries, factories, and individuals. A total of 553 people were included in the study. Of the people screened, 58 (10.5%) were female, 495(89.5%) were male. The age range was 18-65, the mean was 37.42±9.4. The working time of the workers was 1-31 years, the average was 10.25±7.4. Of the 553 people, 115 (20.8%) were working in a marble quarry and 438 (79.2%) were working in the factory. Nonspecific respiratory symptoms were present in 121(21.9%) workers, including 22 (19.1%) of the marble quarry workers and 99 (22.6%) of the factory workers. In the last year, among 553 workers, 46 (40%) of the marble quarry workers, 160 (36.5%) of the factory workers had a history of respiratory system disease. It was determined that the workers working in the marble factory were exposed to more marble dust than the workers working in the marble quarry. Except for hemoptysis, it was determined that respiratory system symptoms were more common in marble factory workers, smoking was more common in marble factory workers and increased respiratory system symptoms in both groups.