AVALIAÇÃO DE SINTOMAS RESPIRATÓRIOS E DE ÍNDICES ESPIROMÉTRICOS EM TRABALHADORES DE PEDREIRAS/MARMORARIAS.

Abstract

Silicosis, respiratory disease associated with occupational exposure to crystalline silica represents a serious public health problem, since, in spite of being potentially avoidable, presents high rates of incidense and prevalence, especially in less developed countries. Objectives: measure values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), verify the occurrence of respiratory symptoms characteristic of silicosis; test whether there is relevant differences between spirometric values and occurrence of respiratory symptoms length of employment, workers' age and smoking factor; test whether there is correlation between spirometric rates and length of employment, age and smoking habit. Methodology: The study was applied by descriptive analytical transversal methods. The studied sample was composed of workers from six companies in the field of stone processing industry (quarries / marble), one in Goiânia-GO district and the other five in the city of Pirenopolis-GO, totaling 56 workers. The method of data collection consisted in two questionnaires and a portable spirometry equipment. Results: Regarding the use of Collective Protection Equipment (CPE), 100% of the employees answered that there was collective protection, 73% related to ventilation with open shelter shed and 27% with semi-open shelter. Regarding to the exhaust ventilation, 100% of the employees related that there was not this kind of ventilation. Regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), specifically in the case of respiratory protection, the mask filter was used by 20 employees and mask without filter (made of fabric) by 36 employees. It can be stated that 100% of the workers wore masks for personal protection, covering any kind of mask, including inappropriate types. The result of the averages of the three spirometric rates presented a highly significant difference when compared to t normal average of reference (P < 0.0001). In the universe of 56 men surveyed, 40 men were symptomatic (71%). There was no statistically significant differences between spirometric values and exposure time (at about 5 years); symptomatic and asymptomatic; and between smokers and nonsmokers. There was statistically significant differences between spirometric values and age (at about 45 years old). At the correlation test showed that there was no statistically differences between spirometric rates and exposure time, number of cigarettes smoked and length of smoking habit. There was negative correlation between spirometric values and age. Conclusion: it was verified that the employees present a high percentage of symptomatic factor; for spirometric values changed significantly for the three indices studied compared with the reference literature.