title: Respiratory diseases in agate grinding workers in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Agate is a hard silica stone with bands of various colors, which is used in jewelry. The agate grinding workers are exposed to silica dust.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of respiratory diseases in agate grinding workers and the associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 170 agate grinding workers from Mashhad, northeastern Iran, were examined. Medical and occupational history for respiratory illnesses was taken using respiratory questionnaire of the national program of silicosis control, lung examination, spirometry and chest radiography. Chest x-rays were interpreted according to the International Labor Office (ILO) classification system, 2000.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean±SD of age and work duration of the participants were 31.2±10.1 and 13±8.2 years, respectively. The prevalence of silicosis among agate workers was 12.9% (95% CI: 7.9%-18.0%); 18 workers had simple and 4 had complicated silicosis. There was a significant (p<0.05) relationship between contracting silicosis and exposure duration. 20 (11.7%) workers had symptoms consistent with chronic bronchitis and 8 (4.7%) showed asthma and asthma-like symptoms. The most frequent disorder observed in spirometry was the restrictive pattern (n=43, 30%). In the agate grinders, clinical and spirometry findings did not match with radiological findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Agate grinding workers are at increased risk for respiratory diseases, specifically for silicosis and chronic bronchitis. The disease is related to silica dust exposure, poor ventilation and inappropriate personal protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. rafeemaneshe@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rafeemanesh
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Majdi
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ehteshamfar
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fahoul
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sadeghian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D012822:Silicon Dioxide