SILICOSIS, A MONUMENTAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CRISIS IN RAJASTHAN-AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY

An epidemiological survey was carried out to assess the magnitude of silicosis in Karauli, a district located in the eastern part of Rajasthan. Silicosis, an occupational disease, which is caused by inhalation of the silica dust; marked by inflammation and scaring of the lungs resulting in nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a fatal fibrotic pulmonary disease, which is irreversible in nature. Silicosis burden is substantial globally. In India, epidemiological surveys conducted time-to-time show that the problem is more severe in unorganized sector. Silicosis has emerged at epidemic level in Rajasthan due to exponential growth in the mining sector, inadequate Governmental policies, and poor implementation of the laws of the land. A study in 1992-94 carried out by the DMRC, Jodhpur reported that 9.9% sandstone workers have silicosis. A study conducted by the NIMH in Karauli (2013) revealed that 74% of them were suffering from the silicosis. However, all these surveys were conducted with the high-risk groups hence they are population measures. This survey intended to assess the magnitude of silicosis amongst the general population in the Karauli, one of the most backward districts of Rajasthan. A village (with approximately 1000 population) was considered as sample unit. Total 6 villages from the 4 regions of the district with a population of 6975 were covered in this cross sectional survey. All the adult population having respiratory symptoms and known history of mining were included in the study.