Situation of silicosis in workers of two steel factories in Thai Nguyen province, 2018

Abstract

Cast Iron Making and Steel Making are industries that have appeared early in our country. Besides modern production lines,
there are still old technological lines that generate a lot of silica dust (SiO2) in the working environment, leading to an increased risk of silicosis. This study aims to describe current incidence of silicosis in workers of two steel factories in Thai Nguyen in 2018. A cross-sectional study was applied. Clinical examination, respiratory function test and radiographic examinations for workers in direct exposure with silica dust in two steel factories. The results showed that there is no difference in the incidence of silicosis between the two steel factories, the incidence of silicosis in workers at Luu Xa Steel Making Plant and Cast Iron Making Factory were 12.3% and 11.5%, respectively. All small rounded opacities were
p-opacities. The radiograph showed that the subcategory 1/1 standard radiograph was major with 54.5%. Pulmonary dysfunction rate was 17.4%. In particular, restrictive pulmonary dysfunction rate was highest in pulmonary dysfunctions with 16.6%.