SILICOSIS IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION

One of the oldest known occupational diseases, silicosis is caused by the inhalation of

silica dust. The full name of the illness is 45 letters long (the longest word in the English

language) –pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis. Since silica is abundant in

the earth’s crust, many occupations pose the threat of silica dust inhalation. Although

silicosis is fatal and has no cure, it can be prevented if the inhalation of silica dust is

minimized. Silica dust of two to five micron size, when inhaled, travels up to the alveoli

of the lungs. Sizes larger than this are filtered through the nose or thrown out by cilia in

the windpipe. Though highly toxic, silica dust has no smell and offers no warning to the

worker. Following are the stages if the silica based on the years of exposure:

Symptoms of Silicosis:

� Shortness of breath; possible fever.

� Fatigue; loss of appetite.

� Chest pain; dry, nonproductive cough.

� Respiratory failure, which may eventually lead to death.

Acute Accelerated Chronic

symptoms within weeks to 5 yrs.; high concentrations; fibrosis may not be present

5-10 years from 1st exposure; rapid progression; may not be on chest radiograph

after >10 years of exposure

SOURCES OF EXPOSURE:

(Source: Paper-National survey on prevalence of silicosis in India factories-An outline of

proposed action plan, DGFASLI, Mumbai)

Though some operations have been recognized as dangerous operations and special

measures have been laid down for them, there is need to review all the industrial

activities and make a comprehensive list of operations.

Occupations with Potential Exposure

to crystalline silica 1. Abrasive blasters 31. Diatomaceous earth 32.Calciners 61. Motormen

2. Abrasive makers 32. Wood filler workers 62. Oil purifiers

3. Agriculture 33. Electronic equipment makers 63. Oilstone workers

4. Auto garage workers 34. Enamellers

64. Optical equipment

makers

5.Brick layers 35. Farmers 65. Paint mixers

6. Brick makers 36. Quartz workers 66. Polishing soap makers

7. Buffers 37. Refractory makers 67. Porcelain workers

8. Burhstone workers 38. Road constructors 68. Pottery workers

9. Carborundum makers 39. Rock crushers 69. Pouncers

10. Casting cleaners, foundry 40. Rock cutlers 70. Pulp stone workers

11. Cement makers Fettlers 41. Rock drillers 71. Quarry workers

12. Flint workers 42. Rock grinders 72. Soap workers

13. Foundry workers 43. Rock screeners 73. Silica brick workers

14. Furnace liners 44. Rubber compound mixers 74. Silicon alloy makers

15. Fused quartz workers 45. Sand cutters 75. Silver polishers

16. Glass makers 46. Sand pulverisers 76. Slate workers

17. Glaze mixers, pottery 47. Sand blasters 77. Smelters

18. Granite workers 48. Sand paper makers 78. Sodium silicate makers

19. Grinding wheel makers 49. Sandstone grinders 79. Spacecraft workers

20. Grindstone workers 50. Sawyers 80. Stone bed rubbers

21. Hard rock miners 51. Jewelers 81. Stone cutters

22. Insecticide makers 52. Jute workers 82. Stone planers

23. Insulators 53. Kiln liners 83. Street sweepers

24. Cement mixers 54. Lithographers

84. Subway construction workers

25. Ceramic makers 55. Masons 85. Tile makers

26. Chemical glass makers

chipper 56. Metal buffers 86. Tooth paste makers

27. Coal miners 57. Metal burnishers 87. Tube mill liners

28. Construction workers 58. Metal polishers 88. Tumbling barrel workers

29. Cosmetic makers 59. Miners

89.Tunnel construction workers

30. Cutlery makers 60. Mortar makers 90. Whetstone workers

Total workers

Workers at risk of silica

exposure

These occupations largely affecting the workers as well as their surroundings like the family

near to it, environment, women and children.

POPULATION AT OCCUPATIONAL RISK OF SILICOSIS

(Source: A ppt by, Deputy Director of DGMS, Occupational Health Division, DGMS

Ministry of Labour, GOI)

Industry No. of Workers

Mines & Quarries 1700000

Manufacturing of basic

metals & alloys (Steel,

Copper, Ferro- alloys,

Etc.) 629000

Manufacturing of

products (Refractory,

Glass, Mica, etc. 671000

Total 3000000

� Does not include 7,000,000 workers in construction industry

� Does not include workers in unorganized and self employed sector � Does not include workers in approximately 60% of above mentioned

occupations.

The construction sector in India employs some 32 million people, making it the second

biggest employer after agriculture.

(Sources: The Hindu Business Line, Mobile Crèches Labour Mobility Report)

Source: Census of India 2001

Total workers 168101220

Workers at risk of silica exposure-(includes agricultural & allied activities, Mining and quarrying, Construction)

29508563

Problem in India – Factories

0100200300400500600700

Slate

Pen

cil

Cera

mic

Agate

Grin

ding

Stone

Cut

ting

Qua

rtz G

rindin

g

Industries

Qu

an

tity

No. of persons

Examined

Cases of Silicosis

The prevalence of silicosis exists in the areas where the silica dust presents. As the

occupations like construction, stone crushing, mining, glass manufacturing etc are

furnishing in all over the India so the potentiality of silicosis will must be increases. And

as there are lots of industries who doesn’t includes in the given data, hence the chances or

possibility of the silicosis is very high.

Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR) has mentioned in their research report

September 1999 the slate pencil industry and agate grinding industry which carry high

risk are peculiar to India. There are about 3 million workers at high potential risk of silica

exposure. They are employed in various occupations such as in mining and quarries

around17 lakhs; manufacture of non-metallic products i.e. refractory products, structural

clay, glass, mica, etc. includes 6.3 lakhs and manufacture of basic metals and alloys, i.e.

iron and steel, copper, ferroalloys, aluminium, etc has employed 6.7 lakhs. In addition

many of the 54 lakhs construction workers are also said at risk of silica exposure.

National Institute of occupational Health (NIOH) a body of Indian council of Medical

Research (ICMR) working specially on occupational health had carried out industry wise

studies on silicosis prevalence came out with the result that in slate pencil industries

54.6% workers were affected by silicosis. In which 50% of the workers suffering from

silicosis were below 25 years of age and had worked for less than 7 years. In agate

industry of Khambhat Taluka of Gujarat and Jaipur (Rajasthan) 39.8% male and 34.2%

female were affected with silicosis.

Studies in quartz crushing units revealed evidence of silicosis in 12% workers. Another

study among sand grinders, who had worked on an average for only 5 years, showed

28.1% prevalence of silicosis. An environmental and epidemiological survey carried out

in stone quarry workers revealed evidence of silicosis in 22.4% workers.

WHO report on silicosis says that in India 55% of group were found affected with it

and the mean age of death is 35 years.

A survey in 2009, drawing on official data from mines and factories, identifies lead and

zinc mining as the second biggest source of silicosis among Indian mineworkers. The

number one killer is a gold mine in Karnataka.

Problem in India Problem in India Problem in India Problem in India –––– FactoriesFactoriesFactoriesFactories

Industry No. of

persons Examined

Cases

of Silicosis

% of

Silicosis

Slate Pencil 593 354 54.7

Ceramic 292 44 15.1

Agate Grinding 468 136 29.1

Stone Cutting 89 17 19.1

Quartz Grinding 218 91 41.7

GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS:GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS:GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS:GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS: (Source: Mint- The online edition of Mint business newspaper provides global headline

news, breaking news etc.)

UUUUNFORTUNATELY NFORTUNATELY NFORTUNATELY NFORTUNATELY wewewewe have the governmental have the governmental have the governmental have the governmental data data data data but if but if but if but if

we look inwe look inwe look inwe look into itto itto itto it analytically then analytically then analytically then analytically then we have we have we have we have an unreliable an unreliable an unreliable an unreliable

data.data.data.data.

The government

provides the

data in which we

can hardly see

the cases of

silicosis and

maximum of the

states has no

official data of

occupational

disease.

Here are the data

available through

RTI filed by S A

Azad in February

and can be seen

clearly the

difference in the

data.

And here is

the data

obtained by

DGMS, again

the govt.

But has a

huge

difference

with the

above data.

Now we can estimate that how leniently govt is taking

the occupational health.

In 2003 reported that seven young women near the city of Pondicherry in southern India

have lost their lives due to silicosis. According to press reports, at least one woman in

every household in the two villages has been afflicted with silicosis and suffers from

chronic chest pain, cough, breathlessness and loss of appetite.

International organizations have estimated work-related deaths of around 150,000 each

year in India along with 2 million new cases of occupational diseases

WHO 2002 Fact sheet describes the data that 68% of former stone crusher mill workers

in Lal Kuan, New Delhi had silicosis, silico-tuberculosis or tuberculosis and in India road

building has more than 12,000 stone crushing units employing 500, 000 workers and in

many cases families.

ACT’S AND PROVISIONS, but almost NIL implementation:

THE FACTORIES ACT 1948,

Section 10 of the Act lays down that a State Government may appoint qualified medical

practitioners as ‘certifying surgeons’ to discharge the following duties:

a) Examination and certification of young persons and examination of persons engaged in

‘hazardous occupations’.

b) Exercising medical supervision where the substances used or new manufacturing

processes adopted may result in a likelihood of injury to the workers.

c) Exercising medical supervision in case of young persons to be employed in work likely

to cause injury etc.

Chapter IX, Section 89 (2)

reads as follows:

(2) If any medical

practitioner attends on a

person who is or has been

employed in a factory and

who is or is believed by the

medical practitioner to be,

suffering from any disease

specified in the third

schedule, the medical

practitioner shall without

delay send a report in

writing to the office of the

Chief Inspector stating:

I. The name and fill

postal address of the patient

II. The disease which he believes the patient to be suffering from and

III. The name and address of the factory in which the patient is or was last

employed.

(3) Where the report under section (2) is confirmed to the satisfaction of the chief

Inspector, by the certificates of a certifying surgeon or otherwise, that the person is

suffering from a disease specified in the schedule, he shall pay to the medical practitioner

such as an arrear at Land Revenue from occupier of the factory in which the person

contracted the disease.

(4) If any medical practitioner fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (2) he

shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.

Section 41C: This section of The Factories Act, 1948, specifies responsibility of the

occupier in relation to hazardous processes:

• To maintain accurate and up to date medical record of the workers;

• To appoint qualified, experienced and competent supervisors to supervise

handling of hazardous substances;

• Pre-employment and post-employment medical examination of workers, at

regular intervals.

Permissible Exposure Limit

Section 41F: Permissible limits of exposure of chemical and toxic substances have been

prescribed under the Second Schedule. These limits are applicable, whether the industry

is hazardous or not.

The Factories Act, 1948, amended in 1987, pre-scribed Permissible Limits of Exposure

(PLE) (Government of India, 1987). For dust containing quartz, the PLE is based on the

concept that the toxicity of the dust is proportional to the concentration of quartz in it. In

order to have a method of maximal simplicity for routine monitoring of dust

concentration, total and respirable dust PLEs

has been adopted as follows:

PLE for total dust containing free silica =30/

(% quartz+3)

PLE for respirable dust containing free

silica=10/ (% respirable quartz+2).

Although a study conducted by Directorate

General, Factory Advice Service &Labour

Institutes (DGFASLI) in Rajasthan State,

India employing 650 workers in 65 small-scale quartz manufacturing enterprises, came

up with result that the exposure was 7.7 times higher than respirable dust.

Under the WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ACT, 1923 and ESI ACT 1948, workers

are entitled to compensation from their employers for occupational injuries and diseases

(in under section 3, schedule 3).

THE MINES ACT, 1952:

CHAPTER - II

INSPECTORS AND CERTIFYING SURGEONS: Have provisions as follows:

Section 9. Facilities to be afforded to inspectors – Every owner, agent and manager of a

mine shall afford the Chief Inspector and every Inspector and every person authorized

under section 8 all reasonable facilities for making any entry, Inspection; survey,

measurement, examination or inquiry under this Act.

Sub-section(2): Every person employed in a mine who is chosen for examination in any

safety and occupational health survey under sub-section (10 shall present himself for such

examination and at such place as may be necessary and shall furnish all information

regarding his work and health in connection with the said survey.

Sub-section(4): Any person who, on examination under sub-section (2) is found

medically unfit to discharge the duty which he was discharging in a mine immediately

before such presentation shall be entitled to undergo medical treatment at the cost of the

owner, agent and manager with full wages during the period of such treatment.

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 1986: Includes the strategies to

achieve the occupational health safety at national level. Hence it goals and objectives can

be fulfilled by the action programme which says to take actions, such as: Enforcement of

existing laws pertinent to Occupational Health, by developing appropriate standards,

codes of practices and manuals on safety, health and environment, by encouraging the

appropriate Government, social partners etc., by increasing awareness, by research and

development, by occupational safety and health skills development, by data collection

etc.

ACTION’S TAKEN FOR SILICOSIS:

SUPREME COURT’S ACTION:

In 2006 PRASAR had filed a PIL in Supreme Court of India. In which now National

Human Rights Commission became co-petitioner. The Supreme Court has held in its first

order, in hearing dated 05/03/2009 that, the Central Pollution Control Board will be given

notice for being the addition respondent in matter of silicosis. Based on the findings of

that National human rights commission had to conduct further a survey regarding

silicosis, take up the specific and confirmed cases of persons who are suffering from

silicosis and have to recommend to provide immediate medical relief to them through the

concerned authorities, and to provide the compensation through the concerned authorities

in case of those persons who died because of silicosis.

The State of Madhya Pradesh is impleaded as a party respondent to response regarding

taking remedial steps for preventing silicosis in hearing held on date 1st February 2010

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT’S COMMISSION’S ACTION:

In 2006, PRASAR had filed a PIL in Supreme Court of India. In which now National

Human Rights Commission has became co-petitioner.

National Human Rights Commission has become the co-petitioner in the PIL of People’s

Rights and Social Research Centre (PRASAR) and Others vs. Union of India and others

to Supreme Court and taking all required action under their objectives. Like National

Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended providing immediate medical

relief to silicosis victims through the concerned authorities and in case of those persons,

who died because of silicosis, may provide for compensation through the concerned

authorities.

The notice has been issued under Section 85 of the Factories Act 1948 by the States,

directed by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that less than 10 labourers are

also come under the purview of the Act .

CONCLUSION

Silicosis is incurable but preventable disease. As it’s the concerned issue of industries,

employers, employees and government etc. we have to take the steps to prevent the

workers from getting exposed to silica dust. For this government and industries

collectively will have to put the measures to prevent the silica dust exposure which is the

solely cause of silicosis.

In Indian situation silicosis should be regarded as a major cause of tuberculosis since

under nourished and overworked workers who often have to stay at the place of work

which may be a quarry or mine have much higher chance of getting tuberculosis.

Unfortunately, in India unlike in UK, tuberculosis in mines is not regarded as an

occupational disease. So we must declare tuberculosis an occupational disease for those

exposed to silica.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Make a national policy for the prevention, control and elimination of silica

exposure and silicosis. Ensure that primary prevention, engineering controls like

dust suppression are promoted

• Enforce the law more rigorously making sure that all stakeholders are sensitized

about the menace of silica. All those involved in the care of silica exposed

workers including the worker, must be sensitized about the silica and disease

related to silica exposure.

• Every Unit should have an OHS/silicosis Committee with the Representation of

Workers & Union.

• Make a national Task Force for addressing all aspects of silicosis.

• The task force should comprise of health and safety professionals, mine owners,

physicians, policy makers, representatives of NGOs and Trade Unions, regulatory

agencies.

• Allocate budget for the task force and make a small secretariat.

• In each district where Industry, mining, quarrying or big construction projects are

on, identify a facility for establishing diagnosis of silicosis and train physicians

entrusted with the task in reading and interpreting the X-Rays.

• Silicosis/Occupational disease should be covered under the Disability Act and the

Silicosis/Occupational disease patient must get all the benefit under the Act. As if

a Person has lost his external part of the body then he can claim all the benefit

given under the disability Act, but if a person has lost his internal part of body

(i.e. Lung) then why he can’t claim the same.

• OHS Should be a Compulsory Subject in the Medical College and must be a

Chapter from School as they should be know the side effect of the OHS Hazards

on their parents as he will get the lesion from the same and be the awareness

about the same for his own life

• Make a national data bank of all silicosis cases.

• Organize each year a national convention inviting the stake holders to discuss the

issues and identify the gaps.

• Make an inventory and register all the workplaces where silica exposure occurs.

• District magistrates must have the information as to how many workplaces and

how many workers are at risk from silica exposure.

• Make sub-groups to deal with engineering problems and health issues.

• Levy a cess on the mine owners and quarry owners to create a corpus to be spent

on the welfare and compensation.

• In districts where silica exposure occurs to large number of people, make special

beds available for the victims for dealing with the end results, and complication of

silicosis such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Corpulmonale, and lung

cancer.

• The victims of silicosis should be rehabilitated by offering them alternate jobs or

a subsistence pension as they are unable to work.

• NGOs/ Trade Union should be involved in the monitoring of the programme

initiated for the benefit of silica exposed workers.

• The Factory Act-1948, Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act-1970, and

The Mine Act, 1952 Should be Review and try to find the solution that why these

act can’t successfully implemented and be the Simply to these act as these can

implement successfully.

• The Accountability for the Implementation and control over the rules &

Regulation or Laws must be review time to time and there should be the provision

of the penalty, if the above is not implemented.

• Implementation of engineering controls and containment methods such as blast-

cleaning machines and cabinets, wet drilling, or wet sawing of silica-containing

materials to control the hazard and protect adjacent workers from exposure.

• Development of simple guidance for employers to put controls in place to reduce

silica exposures.

• Administrative measures ensured regularly for safe functioning specially by the

industries or occupier.

• Silicosis Surveillance Systems

• Training and awareness of stakeholders on silicosis.

• Wear disposable or washable protective clothes at the worksite

• Use adequate respiratory protection when source controls cannot keep silica

exposures below the minimum amount permissible according to the Act.

• Provide periodic medical examinations for all workers who may be exposed to

respirable crystalline silica.

• Post warning signs to mark the boundaries of work areas contaminated with

respirable crystalline silica.

• Provide workers with training that includes information about health effects, work

practices, and protective equipment for respirable crystalline silica.

• Report all cases of silicosis to State health departments

REFERENCES:

1. Silica and Silicosis: Indira Chakravorthy, Centre for Education and

Communication, New Delhi, First edition 1992.

2. Safety and Health in the Stone crushing industry: N.Wagner,

M.Nithiyananthan, L.Farina (eds.), Ecohealth Program, International

Develpoment Research Centre, Canada.

3. Paper-National survey on prevalence of silicosis in India factories-An outline

of proposed action plan, S.K.Saxena, Director General Factory Advice,

Mumbai.

4. A story of worker’s struggle on compensation for silicosis, Society for

Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), New Delhi.

5. Labor Laws, Everybody Should Know, H. L. Kumar, Universal Law

Publishing Co.

6. Health and safety concerns at work: http://www.paycheck.in/main/health-and-

safety-concerns-at-work

7. How to prevent silicosis:

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Publications/AlertsGuidesHaz

ards/ConstructionElectricalPlumbing/dust_in_the_workplace_how_to_prevent

_silicosis_0351.pdf

8. The Factories Act, 1948,

http://www.vakilno1.com/bareacts/factoriesact/factoriesact.html

CAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSISCAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSISCAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSISCAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSIS

PEOPLE’S RIGHTS & SOCIAL RESEARCH CENTRE (PRASAR)

H-12/16/854, Buddh Bazaar, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi-110062

www.prasar.org, E.mail: silicosisvictims@gmail.com, prasar21@gmail.com

Mobile: 09811914329