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Silicosis
 Agate
Industry
Agate grinding and polishing
is a traditional vocation in the Khambhat Taluka of
Gujarat and Jaipur (Rajasthan). Following sporadic reports
of silicosis and deaths among the agate grinders, NIOH
carried out detailed clinico-radiological
survey of agate workers which showed that the
problem of silicosis
was most severe
among the agate grinders.
The prevalence of
silicosis in male and female agate grinders was
39.8% and 34.2%
respectively. About 19% of the male agate grinders
and 22% of female agate grinders developed silicosis
within five years. The overall prevalence of tuberculosis
amongst male and female agate grinders was 37.4% and
40.3% respectively. Pulmonary function abnormalities
were found in about 51% grinders.
The mean "total" and
"respirable" dust concentrations during
agate grinding were 25.4 (14.5 ‑ 35.1)
and 2.74 (1.73 ‑ 4.04) mg/M3 respectively, which are much higher
than the prescribed limits. The free silica contents
of the dust was
60%.
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