[ XXXX among soapstone handicraft workers in a rural area of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil].

@entity25832 @entity51384 @entity3311 @entity3673 @entity1353 @entity1355 @entity456
@entity3673 in Brazil has received little research attention to date. The disease was investigated in Mata dos Palmitos, a district of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais State, among soapstone handicraft workers. The district has some 180 inhabitants, of whom 108 are engaged in handicrafts production, while 15 alternate handicrafts production with work in the soapstone quarries. A clinical and occupational investigation was conducted, along with a respiratory symptoms standardized questionnaire, chest x-ray (ILO standard), and spirometry. Clinical data showed a low prevalence of respiratory complaints. @entity1353 was the most frequent symptom. @entity3311 was identified in 12 adult workers. Chest x-rays showed evidence of small lung opacities in 5 workers, and in 11 there was suspicion of the same opacities. One worker showed a plaque-shaped @entity456 . Seven workers showed abnormal spirometry. The soapstone dust composition showed breathable asbestos fibers from the @entity51384 group ( @entity25832 -actinolite). The results suggest talc @entity1355 occurrence among soapstone handicraft workers.
