An outbreak investigation of silicosis among sandstone carvers in Khok Samrong District, Lopburi Province, February 2021

Authors

  • Tadsaphorn Phookjit Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control
  • Hirunwut Praekunatham Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control
  • Sutatip Buranasatitnon Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control
  • Narongpon Dumavibhat Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Borworn Mitmark Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control
  • Sunsanee Pholprasert Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control
  • Busaba Suwannachote Khok Samrong Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2023.70

Keywords:

outbreak investigation, silicosis, sandstone carvers, silica dust

Abstract

On February 9, 2021, the Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, accompanied with the Division of Epidemiology, the Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 4 Saraburi Province (ODPC 4), and the Lopburi Provincial Health Office, investigated 3 cases of silicosis among sandstone carvers. The 3 cases lived in the same village in Khok Samrong District, Lopburi Province. The objectives of this study were to verify the diagnosis, describe the disease characteristics, determine risk factors, and provide recommendations and preventive measures. The descriptive epidemiological study was conducted by reviewing the medical records and interviewing the doctors and patients. The active case finding in the village and the working condition survey of the sandstone carvers were conducted. The silica dust in the working condition was measured and analyzed according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Methods No. 7601. The data was analyzed by the descriptive statistics, including mean, median, percentage by volume (% volume). The results of the investigation revealed 13 confirmed silicosis cases diagnosed by the occupational medicine physicians with NIOSH certified B reader. The 13 confirmed cases of silicosis were divided into 2 groups: 1 case was the index case and 12 additional cases were reported from the active finding in the community. The median duration of working was 20 years (5-40 years). The results of silica dust measurement in the working condition indicated the process of using an electric grinding tool to polish the sandstone surface produced the amount of silica dust exceeding the threshold limit value (TLV) in working condition. Therefore, the work safety measures should be strictly practiced including to provide safety working condition, to encourage workers wearing appropriate personal protective equipment throughout the working period accompanied with to arrange the health literacy training to increase knowledge on health risk among workers.

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Published

2023-12-29

How to Cite

1.
Phookjit T, Praekunatham H, Buranasatitnon S, Dumavibhat N, Mitmark B, Pholprasert S, Suwannachote B. An outbreak investigation of silicosis among sandstone carvers in Khok Samrong District, Lopburi Province, February 2021. Dis Control J [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 29 [cited 2024 Dec. 19];49(4):858-70. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DCJ/article/view/260307

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 4 (2023): October-December

Section

Outbreak Investigation

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