Abstract:
One of the oldest industries in the world is jewelry manufacture, and it requires certain risky procedures. A group of people known as goldsmith workers are employed to make various kinds of jewelry out of gold. When making gold jewelry, the processes of molding, casting, filling, polishing, and plating exposes workers to many inorganic chemicals and work-related hazards. The goldsmith workers who work in various small workshops experience different types of health and respiratory problems. Goldsmith workers are directly exposed to coal dust, high temperature, heavy metals, and acidic fumes, and get exposed to harmful chemical agents. The current study is anticipated to shed light on the topic of the respiratory health status, working environment, and related problems of goldsmiths. The study is focused on the pulmonary health of goldsmiths in the Sarafa Bazaar area of Rawalpindi Pakistan, it aims to identify any respiratory health issues as well as the likely causes of the problems. The study also aims to identify the chosen working groups’ exposure to different health problems, consequent impacts, and to see which group is more at risk in line with their work type and due to their extent of exposure for selected workshops in Sarafa Bazaar. A total of 50 male workers aged 19-60 years engaged at gold manufacturing for 40 years. The workers of 5 working units enameling, cutting, setting, polishing, and soldering were surveyed and tested for lung function, respiratory symptoms and to identify presence of restrictive and obstructive respiratory diseases using the spirometry (pre and post bronchodilation) and their health status. Pulse Oximetry was also employed to check the oxygen saturation levels and heart rate of workers. The study also looked at the smokers and the nonsmokers among the working groups. A handheld digital spirometer was used to record FEV1, FVC, and FEV1% (FEV1/FVC), both pre and post bronchodilation. There were clear differences in between pre and post bronchodilator which shows there was presence of respiratory diseases in all working unit. However, the most compromised lung function was found in Polishing unit and also in the setting as well enameling unit because of being exposed to HCL that is used for cleaning and buffing ornaments and it produces toxic vapors that make it difficult for goldsmiths to breathe in polishing unit. The severe cases of COPD were identified in three workers of polishing and buffing unit which lies in GOLD 4 category and four workers were identified in Gold 3 category, one worker was in GOLD 1 category that indicates that he had mild COPD. There were COPD patients in each unit but polishing and buffing Unit had highly severe cases of COPD. Out of 50 workers 31 had shown restrictive disease and 30 had shown obstructive diseases. All working groups showed respiratory symptoms (Cough > phlegm > Dyspnea > tachypnea > wheezing). There could be various causative agents, and irritants present in the working environment which may be responsible for these respiratory problems. This study concludes with the realization of importance for occupational safety and health for the goldsmith workers who are at great risk of getting pulmonary health problems. Use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment PPEs e.g., masks, especially dust protecting mask, should be worn by workers in polishing units, and therefore proper care and PPEs are advised to reduce exposure to chemical vapors, dust, and acidic fumes.