(a) whether the ICMR has conducted any study on the workers of the stone /granite, mines and crushing industries regarding dust caused pollution and diseases;
(b) if so, the findings of the study; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to implement the recommendations?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b): ICMR`s institute Desert Medicine Research Centre (DMRC), Jodhpur has conducted two studies on workers of sand stone quarries of Jodhpur district. The first study revealed high prevalence of silicosis and tuberculosis of lungs among sandstone quarry workers of Jodhpur district. The subsequent study established that Dry mechanical drilling was the most important source of generation of the dust and Wet drilling is the safer method of drilling to avoid generation of air born dust.
Similar studies by ICMR`s institute National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad and its Regional Occupational Health Centre, Kolkata were conmducted among Quartz stone crushers in Gujarat and Basalt stone crushers in Birbhum district of West Bengal, respectively. These studies have shown the prevalence of silicosis in workers of Gujarat and prevalence of pneumoconiosis in the workers of West Bengal due to dust caused pollution.
(c): Since all the studies mentioned above have shown that wet drilling and crushing reduce the respirable dust levels. This information was disseminated in a workshop involving owners of factories, workers, factory inspectorate and local administration. During the study and due to subsequent interventions, most of the dry drilling units have been converted into wet drilling units.