| Abstract | Silicosis is the most common occupational disease notified in Hong Kong. Annually, up to 200 cases -- mostly from the construction industry -- are reported. The authors investigated occupational exposure to dust, work practice, education, vocational and safety training, work experience and personal habits (cigarette smoking, alcohol intake). No formal education, no vocational and safety training, current and past smoking, and the use of dust masks were found to be significant risk factors. In addition to dust suppression on construction sites, on-the-job safety, health training and health maintenance programmes should be provided for construction workers. Health education should be aimed at increasing worker awareness of the danger of fibrogenic dusts, encouraging the proper use and maintenance of effective personal protective equipment, implementing dust suppression measures, and discouraging smoking. |
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