[Silicosis among semiprecious gem cutters in Joaquim Felício, Minas Gerais State, Brazil].
A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of silicosis among semiprecious gem cutters (n=70) and describe their clinical, epidemiological, and occupational profiles in Joaquim Felício, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from April to December 2002. Occupational history was used with a respiratory questionnaire, chest x-ray, and spirometry. Silicosis prevalence was 7.1%. All affected individuals were men, with a mean age of 21.5 and mean exposure to silica of 7.1 years. All belonged to the informal economy and had been working at small and rudimentary workshops, using improvised lathes, with intense exposure to silica dust. According to the ILO Radiological Classification, four of the five cases of silicosis were classified as grade 1 and one as grade 3. Silicosis among gem cutters constitutes a serious public health problem that requires efforts to minimize risk through work by multidisciplinary teams from government agencies and nongovernmental organizations, with active participation by the workers themselves.
Ferreira
Lucille Ribeiro
LR
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. lucille.ferreira@gmail.com
Pinheiro
Tarcísio Márcio Magalhães
TM
Siqueira
Arminda Lucia
AL
Carneiro
Ana Paula Scalia
AP
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000506:poisoning; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D055498:Jewelry; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational