Dust exposure and its health implications to miners in Mererani artisanal and small-scale mining industry

International Journal of Environmental & Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 23

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

This study aimed to identify and quantify the total dust exposure underground miners in Mererani, Tanzania, its composition generate evidence for informed decision- policy-making. The Analytical Air Monitoring System (AMS) was used collection, analysis conducted gravimetrically. analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. results showed significant variation levels across different mining zones, with inhaling up 1859 mg of over an 8-hour period drilling zones (DZ), 797 loading (LZ), 382 resting (RZ). mean value significantly different, a p-value <0.05. Miners had higher heavy metal silica than those from unmined sites, chromium being most dominant element all samples. Cumulative time is linked long-term respiratory impairment serious health conditions such as lung cancer. These findings highlight need intervention, including education on hazards, provision personal protective equipment (PPE), enforcement safety standards safeguard miners' health. Addressing these issues critical promoting policy reforms sustainable practices Mererani similar communities.

Language: Английский

Silica dust exposure and associated pulmonary dysfunction among mine workers

Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 11

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

This study assessed the impact of silica exposure on 145 mine workers in Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan, compared to 45 non-exposed individuals. Pulmonary function tests revealed significantly reduced lung exposed (P < 0.05), with declines Forced Expiratory Volume one second (FEV1), Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Flow, and Flow at 25-75% FVC (FEF25-75). Radiological evaluations confirmed extensive damage including pleural effusion, reticular shadowing, consolidation. Oxidative stress markers demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation, Fenton's Stress, Stress Index along antioxidant enzyme activities, Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Total Antioxidant Capacity, Glutathione Peroxidase. Hematological analysis showed elevated White Blood Cells, Lymphocyte percentage, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Volume, Hemoglobin reflecting systemic inflammation. Silica's piezoelectric properties contributed oxidative cellular damage, exacerbating pulmonary dysfunction. These findings highlight as a severe occupational hazard, causing irreversible impairment imbalance. Implementing strict safety protocols, personal protective measures, regular health monitoring is crucial safeguarding workers.

Language: Английский

Giant cell interstitial pneumonia: case series with comprehensive ultrastructural analyses of “not only” hard metal pneumoconiosis

Histopathology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 22, 2024

Aims Giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP) is a fibrosing lung disease histologically characterized by centrilobular pulmonary fibrosis and cannibalistic intra‐alveolar multinucleated giant cells. It considered form of pneumoconiosis caused particularly secondary exposure to hard metals (cemented carbide or tungsten carbide). Hard are commonly used in various industrial applications, such as cutting tools, drilling machine inserts, other wear‐resistant components. However, cases with unknown that recurred transplanted lungs have been described. This has led the hypothesis complex etiopathogenesis, likely multifactorial, involving coparticipation immune mechanisms. We aimed identify all elements present series GIP samples better understand pathogenic mechanisms disease. Methods Results describe five diagnosed patients occupational metallic dust using ultrastructural characterization metal quantify asbestos fibres. found was three cases, albeit trace amounts two them. Numerous were identified samples, including fibres endstage fibrosis. Furthermore, one described recurrence also observed lungs. Conclusion These findings support may be due than metals, possibly representing contributory factor expression more severe fibrotic The organs strengthens existence not yet fully understood etiopathogenic mechanism.

Language: Английский