Respiratory Hazards of Radon and Free Silica among Ceramic Workers

The current study aimed at determining the health hazards among ceramic workers exposed to radon and silica, and assessment of exposure response relationship between intensity of exposure and the degree of health impairment. The study included 230 male persons, 150 exposed workers employed at a Ceramic Factory and 80 individuals as controls. All persons included in the present work were subjected to questionnaire sheet; clinical examination; ventilatory function tests and detection of silica in urine. Plain chest X-ray was done to all exposed workers and controls. High resolution Computed Tomography (CT scan) of the chest was done to workers whose plain x-ray revealed abnormal parenchymal or hilar shadows. The environmental studies included air monitoring of respirable dust and total dust in the work environment. The results showed prevalence of all respiratory tract symptoms among exposed workers. Abnormal radiological findings were significantly higher among ceramic workers compared to the control group which increase with increasing the duration of employment. In our study Feldspar showed highest level of radionucleids.