Pulmonary function parameters among marble industry workers in Lahore, Pakistan.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Pulmonology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Occupational exposure to dust particles, particularly crystalline silica in marble dust, is a significant health concern.
• Marble stone workers face direct contact with marble dust, contributing to a rising prevalence of obstructive lung diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pulmonary function parameters between marble workshop workers and age-matched healthy individuals in Lahore, Pakistan.
• To assess the impact of marble dust exposure on lung function tests.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 164 male participants (82 marble workers, 82 healthy controls).
• Data collection via in-person interviews and structured questionnaires.
• Pulmonary function tests using Spiro Lab spirometry to evaluate FVC%, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio.

Main Results:

• Marble workers showed a highly significant decrease (P < 0.001) in FVC%, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio compared to healthy individuals.
• 71% of marble workers exhibited abnormal pulmonary parameters, with 34% showing restrictive pulmonary impairment.
• Over 15 years of work experience significantly increased the risk of abnormal pulmonary function (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Continuous exposure to marble dust leads to deterioration of lung function in marble workers.
• Marble dust exposure is strongly associated with obstructive lung diseases and pulmonary impairment.