Version 1
: Received: 28 February 2020 / Approved: 6 March 2020 / Online: 6 March 2020 (04:25:53 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 7 April 2020 / Approved: 8 April 2020 / Online: 8 April 2020 (04:22:26 CEST)
Keramydas, D.; Bakakos, P.; Alchanatis, M.; Papalexis, P.; Konstantakopoulos, I.; Tavernaraki, K.; Dracopoulos, V.; Papadakis, A.; Pantazi, E.; Chelidonis, G.; et al. Investigation of the Health Effects on Workers Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica during Outdoor and Underground Construction Projects. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 2020, 20, 882–889, doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8786.
Keramydas, D.; Bakakos, P.; Alchanatis, M.; Papalexis, P.; Konstantakopoulos, I.; Tavernaraki, K.; Dracopoulos, V.; Papadakis, A.; Pantazi, E.; Chelidonis, G.; et al. Investigation of the Health Effects on Workers Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica during Outdoor and Underground Construction Projects. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 2020, 20, 882–889, doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8786.
Keramydas, D.; Bakakos, P.; Alchanatis, M.; Papalexis, P.; Konstantakopoulos, I.; Tavernaraki, K.; Dracopoulos, V.; Papadakis, A.; Pantazi, E.; Chelidonis, G.; et al. Investigation of the Health Effects on Workers Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica during Outdoor and Underground Construction Projects. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 2020, 20, 882–889, doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8786.
Keramydas, D.; Bakakos, P.; Alchanatis, M.; Papalexis, P.; Konstantakopoulos, I.; Tavernaraki, K.; Dracopoulos, V.; Papadakis, A.; Pantazi, E.; Chelidonis, G.; et al. Investigation of the Health Effects on Workers Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica during Outdoor and Underground Construction Projects. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 2020, 20, 882–889, doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8786.
Abstract
Chronic exposure of workers to powder containing crystalline silica (SiO2) can lead to chronic lung diseases (lung cancer, silicosis, etc.). The aim of the study was to evaluate the exposure of Greek construction workers to SiO2 and describe their pulmonary function. The study involved 86 outdoor and underground workers. Medical and professional history was obtained, and breath samples were collected at morning hours through a mask for the determination of SiO2 levels. Pulmonary function tests, radiological examination and evaluation of radiographs were, also performed. During the examination of the pulmonary function, the majority of the workers were within normal range (61.4%) while the rest were diagnosed with mild (26.5%) and more severe impairment (7.2%). Working conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically significantly related to the categorization of pulmonary function (p = 0.038). During radiological examination, the type of working conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically significantly related to the categorization of these findings (p = 0.044). Of the 69 employees, 52 did not present findings (75.4%) and five (5) were diagnosed with findings specific to occupational diseases (7.2%). The environmental exposure to RCS (Respirable crystalline silica) was detected at 0,0125 mg/ m3 in the workplace, which is not beyond the legal limits. Underground workers with more than 15 years of exposure to SiO2 are more likely to present chronic silicosis compared to the workers of outdoor activities.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Pathology and Pathobiology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Antonios Papadakis
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author