Occupational Exposure to Andesite Dust: Impact on Pulmonary Function and Sustainable Engineering Control Implications for Stone Carving Workers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26877/asset.v8i4.2813Keywords:
Andesite dust exposure, occupational lung disorders, threshold limit value, occupational hygiene, engineering controlsAbstract
Stone carving workers are exposed to silica dust from andesite stone. They do not wear masks and smoke while working, so that respiratory organs can be disturbed. The study was conducted to identify the relationship between andesite dust exposure and the duration of contact with workers' lung function disorders, using an analytical observational design, cross-sectional method. Respondents included 28 stone carving workers (n=28) from Muntilan, Magelang, Central Java, who were determined based on inclusion criteria. The results showed that the average dust concentration in the work environment significantly exceeded the Threshold Limit Value (>10 mg/m³), which was 15,490 mg/m³ (SD ± 2.38). Mild and moderate restrictive disorders were 75% and 14.3%, respectively; normal lungs in 10.5% of respondents. A total of 70% of respondents had normal lung conditions without indications of silicosis, only 28.6% showed clinical symptoms of bronchitis. Fisher's exact test found that dust exposure was significantly associated with lung disorders (p = 0.020; 95% CI = 0.005-0.467). However, work duration was not associated with lung disorders. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive occupational hygiene interventions, including hazard control measures such as local exhaust ventilation and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
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