Assessment of Personal Exposure and Lung Function Impairment among Stone Carving Workers in Rajasthan, India: Cross-Sectional Study

Stone carving industry, vital to India’s economy, poses severe occupational health risks, like silicosis, due to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM). While personal exposure to workplace emissions has been considered in a few studies, PM concentration in actual field conditions is largely underreported. This study has assessed the concentration of workplace PM, personal exposure, and lung function impairment of workers in addition to its comparison with low-exposed workers and a control group. Cascade Impactor, Optical Particle Counter, personal samplers, and spirometer have been used for the study. Mean PM concentrations (PM10: 1,675.28 µg/m3, PM4: 701.54 µg/m3, PM2.5: 433.97 µg/m3, and PM1: 181.62 µg/m3) exceeded air quality standards, with personal exposure levels as high as 8.64 mg/m3. The ratio of PM4 to PM10 has been observed as about 0.40, which indicates a high proportion of respirable fraction in overall PM concentration. Spirometry test has revealed significantly impaired lung function among workers (forced vital capacity: 3.02 ± 0.82 L; forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 1.96 ± 0.88 L), indicative of restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. The high PM1 concentration underscores the risk of deep lung penetration. Findings highlight the urgent need for improved dust control, protective measures, and targeted interventions to reduce silicosis risks in stone carving.