Prevalence and risk factors for the development of COPD among workers in stone quarries: a cross-sectional study

Employees working in stone quarries are frequently exposed to dust, especially silica particles, which may increase the risk of developing various lung diseases, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to evaluate pulmonary function and explore the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with COPD among individuals in this occupational category.

This Cross-sectional study recruited 200 workers from multiple stone quarries. Pulmonary function was evaluated through Spirometry, and sociodemographic information, current symptoms, and data on dust exposure were gathered using a prearranged questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors contributing to the development of COPD.

The overall prevalence of COPD was 39%. The primary pattern observed in pulmonary function test was non-reversible obstructive. There was a consistent decrease in all spirometric parameters with an increase in years of service. Age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.04-1.10; p = 0.001), male gender (OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.23-5.08; p = 0.0106), smoking status (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.12-4.11; p = 0.02), length of service (10-15 years) (OR = 67.3, 95% CI = 21.35-212.64; p < 0.001), and length of service (> 15 years) (OR = 112.8, 95% CI = 116.28-1095.58; p < 0.001) have been identified as significant risk factors for the development of COPD.

The prevalence of COPD is significantly high among stone quarry workers, underscoring the necessity for implementing effective preventive measures to mitigate the impact of occupational lung diseases.