[Epidemiological study of gem worker's silicosis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the hazards of gem dusts and the epidemiological features of the occurrence of gem worker's silicosis (GWS).


METHODS
Epidemiological investigation in a gem factory in Guangdong province was carried out.


RESULTS
The average dusts concentration in workshop was 2.3 mg/m(3), average free silica content was 94.64%. There were 47 patients diagnosed as silicosis. The prevalence of GWS was 4.58% (47/ 1,027). The age of patients suffering from silicosis and the duration of dust exposure were (27.04 +/- 3.25) years and (4.67 +/- 1.17) years respectively. Chest radiographic examination showed mainly small round opacities "q". The incidences of GWS complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis, spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary emphysema were 10.64%, 10.64%, 44.68% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The hazards of gem dust to workers might be serious. Higher incidence, younger age suffered from silicosis, shorter duration of dust exposure, more complications, and poorer prognosis in gem workers appeared to be the main epidemiological features of GWS in Guangdong.
Zhang
Dong-hui
DH
Guangdong Prevention & Treatment Center for Occupational Disease, Guangzhou 510300, China.
Qiu
Chuang-yi
CY
Li
Huan-ying
HY
Xie
Wan-li
WL
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000506:poisoning; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational