Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
76. JEOLOJİ KURULTAYI, Ankara, Türkiye, 15 Nisan - 19 Mayıs 2024, ss.539-540
Silicosis is the most common occupational lung disease worldwide,
caused by inhalation of crystalline forms of silica. Silica is used in
many different sectors such as mining, quarrying, construction, cement
and ceramics and workers in these sectors are at risk. Employees who
work for long periods of time in places with high dust concentrations
and small dust particles are at higher risk. In this study, a case of
silicosis with a diagnosis of P/P 1/0 according to the ILO
pneumoconiosis classification who worked in a cement factory was
examined.
A 46-year-old male patient presented to our clinic for occupational
disease control examination. In his detailed occupational history, it
was learned that he had been working in a cement factory for 12 years,
during which he worked as a machine maintainer, repairing and
welding machines for 8 years and as a shift supervisor for 4 years. The
patient was exposed to dust because he worked in the production area
during his employment at the factory.. The patient had a history of
smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 12 years. On physical examination,
the patient's respiratory sounds were deep. Chest X-ray showed
increased bronchovascular arborization and diffuse reticular
appearance in both lungs. High-resolution chest tomography showed
a short thick linear density extending to the fissure in the lateral middle
lobe of the right lung. The chest radiograph was evaluated as P/P 1/0
according to the ILO International Classification of Pneumoconiosis
Radiographs.
Silica, which can be found in cement factory dust, is an important
occupational risk factor for workers in this sector. Silica exposure
causes opacities in the lung, in this case p/p 1/0 (round less than 1.5
mm) according to ILO classification. It can be considered as simple
silicosis. Silicosis can develop acutely (a few weeks to 5 years) when
the dust exposure is high and chronically (more than 15 years) when
the dust exposure is low. For this reason, workplace safety
measurements and personal protective equipments should be taken to
prevent workers in workplaces where silica exposure occurs. Periodic
examinations of workers should be carried out regularly and the
possibility of respiratory system diseases should be kept in mind by all
physicians.