EFFECT OF SILICA DUST ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN GRANITE WORKERS

Abstract

silicates represent the majority of most kinds of rocks, clays and sands. Exposure to huge quantities of free silica is odourless, non-irritant, and does not
produce any instant remarkable consequences. Globally adverse effects silica has raised and alarming public health concern and reported that over two
million in Europe, twenty-three million silica-exposed people in China, three million in India, and in Thailand. The global burden of quarry industries
is substantial; especially, occupational hazards and illnesses in developing countries. In most of the countries, the construction industry contributes
significantly to gross domestic product. It plays a vital role in terms of socioeconomical development of the country. In the 19th century, crushed stone
dust was reported as potential material of choice for building durable roads, and constructions. Study results evidenced that most of the workers were
not using protection equipment for better safety. It is far away from the occupational health and safety measures. Most of the equipment’s were made
with fabric and low-quality material. Smoking habit of workers (37.9) and controls (66.7%) and was nearly 24-26 cigarettes per day. The catalase,
superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activity levels were significantly depleted (p<0.0001) in exposed workers when
compared with their respective control group. Data indicated that induction of oxidative stress and activation of immune system was associated with
crystalline silica exposure.