Growing Silicosis Problem in India

Reference

India's development aspirations have driven the national mining industry to extract more minerals for use in construction. One such mineral is silicon dioxide or silica, an important component of sand and stone.

What is Silicosis

• Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust.
  • Silica is a fine powder found in sand, quartz and other types of rocks.
• Over time, silica dust causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs, which can make breathing difficult.
• Silicosis is a workplace related disease which most commonly affects people working in the following industries:
  • Construction and demolition Stone masonry and cutting
  • Pottery
  • Ceramic and glass manufacture
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Sand blasting
• The risk of silicosis is not age related but mine workers who are exposed to silica dust for many years have an increased risk of developing silicosis.
• According to Indian Council of Medical Research the number of silicosis patients is constantly increasing due to opening of new mines.

Symptoms of Silicosis

• Shortness of breath
• Prolonged cough after physical activity
• Chest pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Mild fever
• Swelling of fingers
• Bluish discoloration of skin
• Loud whistling sound while breathing

Treatment of Silicosis

Currently there is no clear treatment available for silicosis and prevention is the best way to deal with it.

Challenges in tackling silicosis

• There is a lack of specialized hospitals to deal with silicosis conditions.
• Mine operators often do not inform the Directorate General of Mine Safety about workers suffering from specific diseases, depriving the state government from developing actionable awareness about the workplace practices of mine operators.
• Silicosis is sometimes misdiagnosed as tuberculosis by healthcare providers.
• According to the NGT, "the concerned authorities" are not following the law. Thus, state inaction is the main obstacle to the welfare of mine workers.
• The mineral resources of the country are concentrated in marginal states where literacy and health care coverage is low while mining generates huge revenue for these states.
• Workers are exposed to poor working conditions when states transfer concessions to suppliers of cheap silica.

Government efforts to tackle silicosis

Guidelines by NGT

• On November 29 this year, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Central Pollution Control Board to frame new rules regarding granting of permission for silica mining and washing plants.
  • The NGT also directed the Uttar Pradesh government and the pollution control board to set up health care facilities in areas with silica mines.

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020

• The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 mandates the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator to report cases of silicosis to qualified physicians. 
•  This Code requires employers of mine workers to inform the Directorate General of Mine Safety about hazards of physical injury to workers and workers suffering from specified diseases including silicosis.