A life threatening lung disease of Bundelkhand region- Silicosis

Silica is the second most common element on the surface of the earth. It is found in sand, many rocks such as granite, sandstone, flint and slate, and in some coal and metallic ores. The cutting, breaking, crushing, drilling, grinding, or abrasive blasting of these materials may produce fine silica dust. Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. Silicosis is due to deposition of fine dust (less than 1μm in diameter) containing crystalline silicon dioxide in the form of alpha-quartz, cristobalite, or tridymite. Silicosis is characterized by shortness of breath, fever, and cyanosis. It may often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia, or tuberculosis. Treatment options currently focus on alleviating the symptoms and preventing complication. So here an attempt has been made to attract the attention of doctors, researchers, NGO's to develop a proper medication and vaccine kit for the complete treatment of this disease. Keywords: Silicosis, Lungs, Tuberculosis, NGO's