1.PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 In 2020, the Mongol team of KSHE Foundation released a report in which they identified a statistically significant higher incidence of pneumoconiosis in artisanal small scale gold mining in Tsagaantsakhir of province Bayankhongor, Mongolia. This finding was based on international labor organization (ILO) guideline-2011. In response to this finding, Mongol team, organized workshop of Occupational Lung Diseases for Mongolian doctors with Catholic University of Korea and University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan in 2021. In 2022, Mongol team to conduct an investigation in which they attempted to (1) repited respiratory health screening in all miners, (2) evaluation progress with pneumoconiosis among old cases using x-ray, and describe the characteristics of these individuals and (3) improve knowledge of local doctors.

Methods

Eligible participants in the present study were comprised of all artisanal gold miners in Bayankhonor province Mongolia, by the Khongor khuder LLC during 15.Jul.2022- 17.Jul.2022. The present screening was performed under the guidance of Declaration of Helsinki. The written informed consent from participants was taken before this preliminary study. The study protocol was approved by Biomedicine Commission of Mongolian National University of Medical Science (№ 2022.3-06). The spirometry was calibrated by experienced technicians before the examination with the 3 liter high-precision volume calibration syringe (Medikro ® pro M9474, Kuopio, Finland) according to 2005 ATS/ERS guideline prediction model is China, ethnicity Asian. The pulmonary function test was performed using a portable spirometry (Medikro ® pro, Kuopio, Finland) by two experienced technicians. The spirometry results (FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV₁ (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second), FEV1/FVC) were measured according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor criteria. Spirometry prediction model Coal Steel Communication, ethnic group is Asia population. Experienced technician for X-ray had performed a Chest X-ray to evaluate the respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis, tuberculosis, effusion etc. Those who had experienced pneumoconiosis evaluation had participated to check up the pneumoconiosis status among artisanal gold miners according to ILO 2011 guideline for pneumoconiosis.

2. PROJECT PROGRESS

A total of 134 miners (female 18.7%, n=25) were screened questionnaire, 127 case performed x-ray, pulmonary function test. The repeated cases were 37 miners. That was including previous screening abnormal cases (n=12) healthy cases (n=25). This year we invited Jun-Pyo Myon Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St.Mary’s Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Deputy Head of Environmental & Occupational Health and Epidemiology, Asian Pacific Society of Respirology. Mongol team, professor Jun-Pyo Myon, Javzan Chultem head of Central hospital in Province, and Tserendamba Janchivvdorj a head of Artisanal gold miner association had also met Batsuuri Batnasan a Vice Governor of Bayangkhongor province, Mongolia.  We had discussed the potential health problem of gold miners and how to improve this health problem due to working environments.    

First day screening June 15.2022

Training for local doctors June 16.2022

Last day meeting with local Governor of Bayangkhongor province June 17.2022

Second day screening June 16.2022

3. Project Plan forward

We and professor Jun-Pyo Myon had suggested a regular medical screening for evaluating and preventing the dust induced lung diseases among AS gold miners. For performing a regular medical screening successfully, the cooperation and financial support from local or central government are necessary for small sized mine workers to participate well for the first step.