It is a known issue that heavy industry work such as in the mining industry can wreak havoc on one’s health. However, the scale of the issue, particularly among India’s poorest, often goes overlooked. Populations associated with the mining industry in India — mostly from impoverished and tribal backgrounds – were found to have a […]
silicosis
Disease profile: Silicosis
Silicosis is a common condition among India’s poorer working population. As such, the overwhelming majority of the burden of the disease is carried by those least financially able to avail the treatment needed to manage the condition. Though schemes such as Ayushman Bharat are allowing some of those affected to access treatment, the availability of […]
Silicosis compensation in Rajasthan
For the mining communities of Rajasthan, silicosis is a major public health scourge. To help those affected by the long-term disease, a plan for silicosis compensation has been announced by the state government. Between three and ten million Indians are at risk of developing silicosis, a lung disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica […]
Silicosis policy launched in Rajasthan
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched a policy to address the burden of silicosis in the state yesterday. Between three and ten million Indians are at risk of developing the disease, caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica. Inhalation of this dust over time can cause scarring and hardening of lung tissue, which is […]
Boon for silicosis patients in Rajasthan?
Among India’s mining communities, one of the major threats to health is silicosis. Nationwide, between three and ten million workers are at risk of developing the disease, for which there is no known cure. In Rajasthan, the scourge of silicosis is felt acutely by mining communities. It was reported last year that there is an […]
Rajasthan: Chief Minister speaks up on silicosis
Every year, 2.78 million people die because of diseases or accidents incurred in the workplace. In India, where eighty percent of labour occurs in unsafe environments, one of the major occupational hazards is silicosis. Nationwide, between three and ten million workers are at risk of developing the disease. For workers in Rajasthan, the toll is […]
Cementing future health problems?
For many Indian labourers there is no option but to work in often unclean, unsafe environments. They risk long-term health implications to stave off the potential for immediate health issues due to poverty and malnourishment. More and more case studies spotlight the dangerous work that is undertaken by many Indians simply in order to survive. […]
Silicosis: losing lives to keep up with construction
Silicosis has the potential to destroy communities due to its very localised effects based on the surrounding industry. The Madarangajodi village in Keonjhar district is a prime example of this. The most common occupation in the village is mining. This has led to a disproportionate number of deaths due to silicosis and resulted in the […]
Silicosis: Preventable with better workplace regulation?
An estimated three to ten million workers across India are at risk of developing an untreatable – and potentially lethal – lung condition. Silicosis, is a prominent risk to those in jobs involving stone, rocks, sand and clay. This puts at risk groups involved in work such as manufacturing and mining, and so disproportionately affects […]