Abstract

Background: Stone quarry workers form a unorganized sector of industry scattered all over India. Due to these workers employed at the granite factory are exposed to different components of dust in which silica is the major one. Longer the duration of exposure to silica dust the respiratory impairment increases. High degree of respiratory morbidity is associated with this industry as people lack the knowledge about the harmful effects of the dust on their health and also negligence from the management side who fail to do periodic health checkup of the employees.

Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the pulmonary function tests in the granite factory workers based on the duration of exposure.

Materials and Methods: The study population consists of 100 asymptomatic granite workers aged between 18 and 40 years working in granite rock factory for more than 5 years’ duration. Workers were divided into two groups based on the duration of exposure. Workers who were exposed for >5 years but

Key words: Granite Workers; Pulmonary Function Tests; Spirometer