Respiratory Health of Female Stone Grinders with Free Silica Dust Exposure in Gujarat, India

Eighty-five female quartz mill stone-grinding workers belonging to the Naika, Rathwa and Damor tribes of Chhotaudepur village of the Godhra region of Gujarat, Western India were surveyed and examined to assess health effects related to free silica dust exposure. the mean age for the subjects was 28.2+/-9.2 years, while the mean duration of exposure was 2.04+/-1.7 years. Chest radiographs showed findings suggestive of silicosis in 14%, silico-tuberculosis in 11.6% and tuberculosis in 8.1% of the study subjects. Respiratory morbidity was significantly associated with duration of exposure (chi(2)=9.9, df = 2, p<0.007). On spirometry, obstructive, restrictive and combined (restrictive as well as obstructive) changes were found in 12.8%, 10.5% and 3.5% of the subjects, respectively. Overall, about one-third of subjects displayed abnormal pulmonary function and respiratory morbidity on chest radiographs.