<![CDATA[Abstract. Exposure to limestone dust, containing Silica (SiO2) and Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), poses an occupational risk potentially leading to respiratory tract irritation and lung function impairment. This study aimed to analyze and establish the correlation between the duration of limestone dust exposure and decreased lung function among limestone factory workers in Padalarang. This observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design involved 58 workers from the production section of a limestone factory, recruited via total sampling. The duration of exposure (work tenure) was categorized into 1–5 years, 6–10 years, and >10 years. Lung function was measured using spirometry and classified (Normal/Abnormal). The correlation between exposure duration and lung function was analyzed using the Chi-Square test. Study subjects were predominantly workers aged over 40 years with a very high smoking prevalence (77%). Descriptively, the lowest average FEV1 and FVC values were observed in the longest exposure group (>10 years). However, the Chi-Square test revealed no statistically significant correlation between the duration of limestone dust exposure and the workers' lung function status (p > 0.05). The duration of limestone dust exposure is not significantly correlated with decreased lung function. This non-significant finding is likely influenced by strong confounding factors, such as widespread smoking habits across all tenure groups, and the potential presence of the Healthy Worker Effect among long-tenure workers. Interventions for dust exposure risk management and strict control over smoking habits in the workplace are strongly recommended. Abstrak. Paparan debu kapur yang mengandung Silika (SiO2) dan Kalsium Karbonat (CaCO3) merupakan risiko kerja yang berpotensi menyebabkan iritasi saluran pernapasan dan gangguan fungsi paru. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan membuktikan hubungan antara lama paparan debu kapur dengan penurunan fungsi paru pada pekerja pabrik kapur di Padalarang. Penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain cross sectional ini melibatkan 58 pekerja bagian produksi pabrik kapur yang diambil secara total sampling. Lama paparan (masa kerja) dikelompokkan menjadi 1–5 tahun, 6–10 tahun, dan >10 tahun. Fungsi paru diukur menggunakan spirometri (dikategorikan Normal/Tidak Normal). Hubungan antara lama paparan dan fungsi paru dianalisis menggunakan uji Chi-Square. Subjek didominasi oleh pekerja berusia di atas 40 tahun dengan prevalensi merokok yang sangat tinggi (77%). Secara deskriptif, nilai rata-rata FEV1 dan FVC terendah ditemukan pada kelompok lama paparan terlama (>10 tahun). Namun, hasil uji Chi-Square menunjukkan tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara lama paparan debu kapur dengan status fungsi paru pekerja (p > 0,05). Lama paparan debu kapur tidak berhubungan signifikan secara statistik dengan penurunan fungsi paru. Hasil ini dapat diakibatkan oleh pengaruh kuat faktor perancu seperti kebiasaan merokok yang merata di semua kelompok masa kerja dan kemungkinan adanya Healthy Worker Effect pada pekerja lama. Direkomendasikan intervensi manajemen risiko paparan debu dan pengendalian kebiasaan merokok di lingkungan kerja.]]>
