Silicosis

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Context:

• A study published in the British Medical Journal Thorax emphasizes the need for more data on silicosis risks, particularly in developing countries where information is limited.
• New limits to a person’s daily exposure to silica dust in the construction, mining, dentistry and other industries could save about 13,000 lives worldwide.

What is silicosis?

• Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz and many other types of rock.
• Silicosis mainly affects workers exposed to silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining. There is no cure for silicosis, and it can be fatal (lead to death).
• Silicosis is commonly found in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Types of silicosis

• Acute silicosis — which develops within weeks or months of exposure to very high levels of silica dust.
• Accelerated silicosis — due to exposure to large amounts of silica dust for less than 10 years.
• Chronic silicosis — due to exposure to low levels of silica dust for more than 10 years.

About Silica Dust:

• Silica (SiO2/silicon dioxide) is a crystal-like mineral found in various materials such as soil, sand, concrete, mortar, granite, and artificial stone.
• When these materials are cut or drilled, crystalline silica is released into the air as very fine dust.

Health Impacts:

• Lack of Preventive Measures: Despite known preventive measures, many workplaces still lack adequate dust control and personal protective equipment.
• Limited Treatment Options: There is no cure for silicosis, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications.
• Socioeconomic Impact: Silicosis can lead to significant economic hardship for affected workers and their families due to lost wages and medical expenses.
• Global Burden: The disease is a global health problem, with developing countries often bearing the impact of the burden due to limited resources and occupational safety regulations.

Protective Measures

To mitigate health risks, effective measures include:

• Engineering Controls: Using water sprays and ventilation systems to reduce dust levels.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensuring workers use masks and respirators.
• Workplace Practices: Implementing protocols to minimize dust generation and exposure.

Regulatory Landscape

• Governments and regulatory bodies are gradually acknowledging the risks associated with silica dust. (e.g. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment hosts a ‘silicosis portal’ for awareness and resources.)
• Silicosis is recognized as a notified disease under the Mines Act (1952) and the Factories Act (1948).
• The Factories Act (1948) mandates a well-ventilated working environment, measures for dust protection, reduction of overcrowding, and provision of basic occupational health care.
• Policies focused on reducing exposure and mandating employer responsibilities are vital steps towards ensuring worker safety.
  • • g. Workers can self-register through district-level pneumoconiosis boards, and claim compensation from District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds.

Conclusion

• Addressing silicosis requires a multi-faceted approach involving improved workplace safety, early detection, and support for affected workers. Silica dust poses significant health risks, parallel to those historically associated with asbestos.
• Enhancing protective measures and regulatory frameworks is essential to safeguard workers in vulnerable industries.

ALSO, READ ABOUT THE TOPIC- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/ensuring-safety-and-health-at-work-in-a-changing-climate

Condition	Symptoms	Agents/Causes	Diagnosis	Treatment	Prevention
Bronchitis	Cough, mucus production, shortness of breath, wheezing	Smoking, air pollution, respiratory infections	Chest X-ray, sputum tests, lung function tests	Inhalers, cough medicine, antibiotics (if bacterial), avoiding irritants	Avoid smoking, reduce exposure to pollutants
Emphysema	Shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, fatigue	Smoking, long-term exposure to air pollutants, genetic factors	Chest X-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function tests	Medications (e.g., bronchodilators), oxygen therapy, smoking cessation	Avoid smoking, avoid pollutants, regular check-ups
Lung Cancer	Persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, hemoptysis (coughing up blood)	Smoking, exposure to asbestos, family history, environmental pollutants	Chest X-ray, CT scan, biopsy	Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy	Avoid smoking, limit exposure to carcinogens, regular screenings
Tuberculosis (TB)	Persistent cough, night sweats, fever, weight loss, fatigue	Bacterial infection (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)	Chest X-ray, sputum tests, TB skin test (Mantoux)	Antibiotics (e.g., isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol) for 6-9 months	Vaccination (BCG), good hygiene, avoid close contact with TB patients
Kidney Damage	Swelling in legs/ankles, fatigue, decreased urine output, back pain	Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, genetic factors, prolonged use of certain medications	Blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound, CT scan	Control underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), medications, dialysis (in severe cases)	Manage chronic conditions, maintain healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups

Reference

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/silica-dust-asbestos-health-risk-silicosis-9504526/

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/silicosis

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22622-silicosis

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements on Silicosis: Silicosis is a skin disease caused by exposure to a huge amount of crystalline silica dust. Accelerated Silicosis occurs within 10 years of high-level exposure to inhaled silica. Which of the above-given statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: b