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Silicosis In Western India

2. SILICOSIS. Accumulation of crystalline silica dust in lungs and tissue reaction due to its presenceSilicosis is commonest and the most widespread occupational disease which causes high morbidity and mortality.Once a person has contracted the disease, it progresses even without further exposure

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Silicosis In Western India

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    1. Silicosis In Western India

    2. 2 SILICOSIS Accumulation of crystalline silica dust in lungs and tissue reaction due to its presence Silicosis is commonest and the most widespread occupational disease which causes high morbidity and mortality. Once a person has contracted the disease, it progresses even without further exposure to silica. And death from this disease is certain as there is no treatment.

    3. 3 SILICOSIS IN INDIA Indian Council of Medical Research is the only National Level study in silicosis Sept 99 It does not give total incidence of Silicosis in India. It says there are about 30 lakh workers in India who are at high potential risk of Silicosis. It gives Industry wise Prevelance as Slate Pencil Workers-54.6%, Agate Workers 38%,Stone cutters-35%, Mica Mining-34%.

    4. 4 Quartz Crushing : Source of large quantity of crystalline silica dust Quartz Crushing is one of the few industries where there is an exposure of the workers to almost 100% free silica dust in its finest form. Most of the work carried out by the workers involves heavy physical labour leading to deep and rapid breathing which causes greater penetration of fine airborne dust deeper into the lungs.

    5. 5 Western India DEATH IN OBLIVION

    6. 6 Silica production in western region (Gujarat)? Quartz stone mined in open cast mines. It is crushed, pulverized and screened to make various grades silica sand and dust. Which is used in glass making, picture tubes, tiles. There are 24 factories in Gujarat border of MP which procure Quartz stone from local mines and crush them.

    7. 7 Tribal Region of Western India Western India (Western Madhya Pradesh & eastern Gujarat) is tribal dominated. The livelihood options are scanty- mainly rainfed subsistence agriculture. There is large out-migration for employment in industrial towns, many of them getting employed in Quartz crushing units.

    8. 8 Extent of spread of Silicosis in Western India Silicosis is spread over a very wide region affecting four states. Due to lack of awareness it is diagnosed as TB. No systematic study is there to find out the extent of spread. Many contract the disease after leaving work and die in remote villages in OBLIVION. Surveys are usually done on currently working factory labourers.

    9. 9 Cont.. KMCS a Tribal peoples’ org. working on issue of displacement and forest raised the issue of large scale deaths due to unknown illness and raised media attention. Some diagnostic camps were held in Govt. Hospital. Silicosis was diagnosed officially for the first time in 2005 in these camps.

    10. 10 Cont.. KMCS with the help of voluntary groups linked the disease demanded justice for workers of the neighbouring Quartz crushing units. Thereafter a survey of 21 villages was conducted to document the extent of spread and its impact on the family and village economy and also the human tragedy.

    11. 11 SURVEY FINDINGS Survey was conducted in 21 villages of Alirajpur Tehsil of Jhabua District (Madhya Pradesh) in Oct 06-Jan 07. 489 persons belonging to 218 families had a definite exposure to silica dust of varying intensity and duration. Of the 489 persons who were exposed, 158 were dead and 266 were found ill i.e. 86 % (424) of those exposed to silica were either ill or dead. Persons affected were prime bread winners of family. Majority (92% )of persons affected were in age group of 15-50 years.

    12. 12 Cont.. There were 70 persons below the age of 18 who were affected, out of whom 31 have died due to silicosis. Most of the deaths i.e. 94%(149 deaths) have occurred with less than 3 years of exposure to silica. and therefore were acute silicosis. This shows the presence of acute silicosis in the area.

    13. 13 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE No steps were taken by the Government either to close the factories, or prevent further exposure or provide compensation. None of the victims have evidence of working in factories as they are mostly poor uneducated tribals. Casual workers, no attendence recored or ESI registration. The law is very weak and most of culprit factories are not even covered under Emoloyees Insurance.

    14. 14 DEMANDS OF KMCS Immediate and adequate compensation. Strict action should be taken against culprit factories Proper Employees State Insurance records and records as per the Factory Act should be maintained. Out migration of tribals from their villages should be prevented by providing them employment in their own villages.

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