Silicosis among phosphate mine workers in Upper Egypt: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Phosphate mining is a vital industry in Egypt, yet it carries significant environmental and health challenges. Balancing the demand for phosphate with sustainable practices and worker safety is crucial for the future of this industry. Respiratory problems, particularly silicosis, remain the most common occupational diseases among mine workers. Health hazards that arise due to exposures to the dust vary due to its variable composition in different mines. Limited data exist on respiratory morbidity among phosphate miners in Upper Egypt. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of respiratory problems among phosphate mines workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in Abu Tartour Upper Egypt mines among 155 workers with a minimum of five years of exposure. The study instruments were a semi-structured questionnaire, chest examination, chest X-ray classified according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) System for Classification of Radiographs for Pneumoconiosis and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Results The mean age of the study workers was 45.25 ± 6.54, all the workers were males, with 41.9% being smokers. Pulmonary function abnormalities were detected among 51.6% of workers, predominantly restrictive defects (41.3%). Abnormal Chest radiographs were observed in 32.8%; with silicosis detected in 55% of these cases. Silicosis was significantly associated with older age ( p = 0.019) and longer work duration ( p = 0.003). Smoking was significantly associated with abnormal pulmonary function ( p = 0.042). Conclusions Exposure to dust released during phosphate mining affects the pulmonary function of the workers and increases the hazard to develop silicosis. Recommendations Regular medical surveillance and strict preventive and control measures must be provided to workers in the phosphate mines to reduce the occupational disease burden among the mine workers. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05094076 Registered September 2021.