Silicosis

Silicosis

Subject – Social Issues

Context – Do not breathe easy on the silicosis prevention policy

Concept –

• Silicosis is a fatal respiratory illness caused by inhaling fine silica dust through prolonged exposure in sandstone mines and quarries.
  • Silica (SiO2/silicon dioxide) is a crystal-like mineral found in abundance in sand, rock, and quartz.
• Silicosis is part of the pneumoconiosis family of diseases, described by the policy as “occupational diseases due to dust exposure… are incurable, cause permanent disability and are ‘totally preventable by available control measures and technology’.
• Silica can have deadly consequences for people who work with stone, concrete, glass, or other forms of rock.
• Silicosis is an incurable condition with its potential to cause permanent physical disability.
• Any level of silica exposure can result in silicosis. There are three types of silicosis:
  • Acute: Acute silicosis forms a few weeks or months after high levels of silica exposure. This condition progresses rapidly.
  • Accelerated: Accelerated silicosis comes on five to 10 years after exposure.
  • Chronic: Chronic silicosis occurs 10 years or more after silica exposure. Even low exposure levels can cause chronic silicosis.
• Silica dust particles act as tiny blades on the lungs.
• These particles create small cuts that can scar the lung tissue when inhaled through the nose or mouth. Scarred lungs do not open and close as well, making breathing more difficult.
• Silica is called as a “carcinogen.” This means that silica can cause cancer, including lung cancer.
• Exposure to large amounts of free silica may not be noticed because silica is odourless, non-irritant and does not cause any immediate health effects, but long-term exposure is associated with pneumoconiosis, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and other lung diseases.
• Diagnosis is a challenge because it is difficult to even find out if a person has tuberculosis or silicosis.
  • The nodules that collect to form a mass can take up to 20 years to be identified in chest x-rays and the victim notices symptoms only after many years of exposure to silica.

Steps taken by Government of India to reduce and to prevent incidents of Silicosis include:

• In India, more than 10 million workers are at risk of silicosis and thus it is recognized as occupational diseases by the Factories Act and Employees Compensation Act, which mandates employers must pay compensation to workers who are afflicted.
• In India silicosis is prevalent in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Pondicherry, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal among the workers of construction and mining.
• Factory Act of India (1948) mandates a well-ventilated working environment, provisions for protection from dust, reduction of overcrowding and provision of basic occupational health care.
• Silicosis is a notified disease under the Mines Act (1952) and the Factories Act (1948).