Presence of Quartz Dust in Jewelry Workshops Around Islamabad, Rawalpindi and its Health Impacts on Lungs

Abstract

The study investigated airborne particulate matter in the jewelry workshops of Islamabad, and Rawalpindi focusing on quartz and potentially toxic elements to assess respiratory health impacts among workers. Five jewelry workshops were selected two (A, B) in F-7 and three (C, D, E) in Sarafa bazar, Rawalpindi. Human and environmental PM samples were collected. Analysis of PM 2.5 in pm 10 revealed elevated levels of elements majorly Cd, Silica, and slightly high Ni, Pb, Ba, and Ag exceeding safe exposure limits. SEM imaging showed PM 10 particles as elongated rod like structures predominantly composed of Fe and silica followed by Ca, O, Al, and K. Ca based compounds including calcium carbonate and oxides were identified as raw materials from jewelry manufacturing processes like casting, ceramics, abrasives, and polishing. Additionally, workshops showed peaks of Si, C, Ca, O Zn, Cu, Al, and K indicating the presence of silicates, concretes, ceramics and glass particles which may form rods during aerosolization. The survey found that employees in all five workplaces had worsened respiratory issues, affecting their health and well-being. The survey indicated 65% of workers had frequent respiratory difficulties including cough (65%), phlegm (50%), breathlessness (67%), and wheeze (55%). Workers with a mean BMI of 25.26 ± 10.38 were classified overweight. The highest Exposure Concentration values were found for Fe, Mg, Sr, and silica. Certain workshops (A, B, D, E) had surpassed LTCR values for Si and Cr. The highest EC for non-carcinogenic metals were found for Mg, Fe, and Sr, indicating health hazards from prolonged exposure. Zn, Cu, and Fe had the greatest PM10 EDI (mg/kg). Workshops C, D, and E, had the most Zn intake, while A, B, and D had the most Fe and Cu intake. Workshop A exhibited high EDI levels for Zn, Si, Fe, and Cu. Ba and Si had the highest PM 2.5 intake values in all workshops, with Zn on top. Workshop C had the most Zn take. In all five workshops, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ba HQ surpassed the limit. However, the HQ of Cd, Pb, exceeded in just one of the workshops (A and E). The HQ of Si, Cu, Ni, and Cr was under the acceptable level. Pulmonary function test (PFT) demonstrated substantial decline in parameters such as FVC, FEV1 and the PEF, especially among smokers with statistically significant correlation showing higher elemental concentration in PM negatively impacting lungs capacity. The finding suggested regular exposure to high concentration of toxic elements in aerosolized particles poses serious health risks to workers notably impairing respiratory functions and increasing potential long term health hazards.