Silicosis and silicotuberculosis in mine workers in nagaur, ajmer and bhilwara district in Rajasthan

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the chest radiographs of patients having history of crystalline silica dust exposure while working in mines and further to evaluate these findings with respect to the duration of exposure to silica dust and finding correlation between the two. Materials and Methods: Data for the study was collected from 258 patients having crystalline silica dust exposure while working in the mines in Nagaur, Ajmer and Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan, who presented to J.L.N. Medical Collage, Ajmer with respiratory complaints. A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period from June 2015 to Dec 2015. Chest radiographs of these patients were evaluated by an experienced radiologist in accordance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) classification. These chest radiograph findings were evaluated and studied for their correlation with the duration of silica dust exposure. Results: In the present study, out of total 258 patients, 60 were having silicosis and 99 were having silicotuberculosis. The most common finding was multiple nodular shadows in116 patients. This study shows increasing trends in number and percentage of patients of silicosis and silicotuberculosis with increase in the number of years of exposure.Data obtained in the study was statistically analysed andp-value after applying ANOVA test was found to be < 0.01 which is statistically significant and proves that there is strong positive correlation between the disease and duration of exposure. Conclusion: As we can make out from this study that almost 2 out of 3 patient (61.7%) are suffering from either silicosis or silicotuberculosis, so there is need to make more awareness about safety measuresto decrease occupational exposure. There should be regular health check-ups and educational programmes for mine workers. Any respiratory symptom should be taken care immediately.