Exposure profile of respirable crystalline silica in stone mines in India

Critical assessment of the effectiveness of different dust control measures in a granite quarry

The exposure to respirable crystalline silica found in granite dust presents significant health hazards to quarry workers and nearby communities, including silicosis and various respiratory ailments. This study evaluates the efficacy of various pollution control measures implemented in granite quarries. It aimed to provide a comprehensive critical assessment of the effectiveness of various dust control measures, considering their mechanisms, impact on air quality, and implications for worker health and community welfare. The strategy involved compiling and systematically analysing existing research articles, literature, and industry reports. The investigation identified three primary categories of measures: engineering controls, water-based suppression methods, and technological solutions. The study highlighted the significance of environmental impact and sustainability factors in selecting measures. These factors include water and energy consumption, production of secondary pollutants, long-term ecological effects, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness. Operators and policymakers should utilize integrated, context-specific, inventive, and interdisciplinary strategies to efficiently control particle emissions from granite quarrying.

Stone mining work and dust pollution in Birbhum district, West Bengal, India

Dust pollution is common in Indian roads and several industrial settings (including mines) that affects human health. Identification and characterization of the dust particles in the mining area is essential for knowing the properties of the dust that effectively causes ailments to humans, particularly among workers those who are working in unorganized industrial settings. The present study aimed to determine the level of dust pollution and to know the size and characterize the dust particles in the Pachami-Hatgacha stone mine areas of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India. Dust samples were collected and analysed for Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) to determine the size and shape of the particles, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to determine the free silica content, and X-ray Florence (XRF) analysis for quantitative estimation of components in the sample. All the analyses were done following standard instrumentation and techniques. The size of the dust particles was much less (ranges 101-298 nm) than the size of respirable particles (2500 nm). Those were mostly generated as well as precipitated during peak working hours of the day. Presence of considerable amounts of silica was confirmed by the FT-IR (strong and broad band at 1000 cm-1) and XRF analysis (76.85% SiO2). Exposure to these dust particles may cause severe health impairments. Therefore, interventions like wet drilling and blasting, sprinkling of water during peak working hours, and awareness of use of personal protective devices among workers are required to reduce the risk and hazards associated with dust pollution to the health of miners and inhabitants around the mines.

Emerging trends in silicosis research: a scientometric review

Silicosis is a global disease whose prevention efforts cannot be ignored today. Although numerous silicosis-related data have been published recently, emphasizing the characteristics and nature of silicosis, a summary of the developmental laws of research is lacking, especially in the visual analysis of the literature. We aim to address this issue through a scientometric review. The Web of Science Core Collection and the All Databases were searched with "silicosis" as the topic, excluding unrelated publications, and obtained data from 9802 and 1613 publications, respectively. The data was then analyzed using the Web of Science's online scientometric analysis function and CiteSpace's visual analysis functionality, including publication volume analysis, co-occurrence analysis, co-citation analysis, cluster analysis, and explosive detection. The results identify the "respiratory system" as the most influential area over a century. Furthermore, the publication's number was correlated with the gross domestic product. We ranked countries and institutions based on the frequency of publications and discovered that Europe, the USA, and China are the leading regions for silicosis research, with the USA and Europe having a stronger influence. Many reports related to artificial stone and denim jean production have been studied through citation analysis, indicating new epidemic trends in silicosis. Besides, silicosis-related diseases and the pathogenesis of silicosis were the research hotspots of silicosis through co-occurrence keyword analysis and outbreak detection. Furthermore, related diseases include coal workers' pneumoconiosis and tuberculosis, while the mechanism of silicosis includes studies on inflammation and fibrosis, oxidative stress, alveolar macrophages, apoptosis, and pathways.

Challenges and opportunities for silicosis prevention and control: need for a national health program on silicosis in India

BACKGROUND

Silicosis has been one of the most serious occupational public health problems worldwide for many decades. The global burden of silicosis is largely unknown, although it is thought to be more prevalent in low and medium-income countries. Individual studies among workers exposed to silica dust in various industries, however, reveal a high prevalence of silicosis in India. This paper is an updated review of the novel challenges and opportunities for silicosis prevention and control in India.

MAIN BODY

The unregulated informal sector employs workers on contractual appointment thereby insulating the employers from legislative provisions. Due to a lack of awareness of the serious health risks and low-income levels, symptomatic workers tend to disregard the symptoms and continue working in dusty environments. To prevent any future dust exposure, the workers must be moved to an alternative job in the same factory where they will not be exposed to silica dust. Government regulatory bodies, on the other hand, must guarantee that factory owners relocate workers to another vocation as soon as they exhibit signs of silicosis. Technological advances such as artificial intelligence and machine learning might assist industries in implementing effective and cost-saving dust control measures. A surveillance system needs to be established for the early detection and tracking of all patients with silicosis. A pneumoconiosis elimination program encompassing health promotion, personal protection, diagnostic criteria, preventive measures, symptomatic management, prevention of silica dust exposure, treatment, and rehabilitation is felt important for wider adoption.

CONCLUSION

Silica dust exposure and its consequences are fully preventable, with the benefits of prevention considerably outweighing the benefits of treating patients with silicosis. A comprehensive national health program on silicosis within the public health system would strengthen surveillance, notification, and management of workers exposed to silica dust in India.

Silica-associated lung disease in developing countries

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is a considerable burden of silica-associated lung diseases in the developing world. This review summarizes the epidemiology of these diseases, especially silicosis and silico-tuberculosis, mitigative efforts and treatment, especially in the context of developing countries.

RECENT FINDINGS

In 2017, the highest incidence of silicosis was in China, India and Brazil among the developing countries. The prevalence of silicosis amongst exposed workers may vary from 4 to 55%; there is a risk of underestimation because of the 'healthy worker effect'. The permissible exposure limit for respirable silica adopted by governments in developing countries remains higher than the proposed 0.025 mg/m3. Silica exposure in informal or unorganized industries is challenging, as it falls outside statutory controls. Recent efforts on regulation and compensation by various governments in developing countries are encouraging but need proper implementation on the ground. Biomarkers such as club cell protein 16 and imaging methods such as computed tomography may offer earlier and easier detection of silicosis. Advanced silicosis remains incurable; novel treatments such as antifibrotics agents may be potentially effective.

SUMMARY

Silica-associated lung diseases are prevalent in developing countries. Efforts directed at preventing or minimizing exposure to respirable crystalline silica are required for mitigation.

A toxicological profile of silica nanoparticles

Humans are regularly exposed to silica nanoparticles in environmental and occupational contexts, and these exposures have been implicated in the onset of adverse health effects. Existing reviews on silica nanoparticle toxicity are few and not comprehensive. There are natural and synthetic sources by which crystalline and amorphous silica nanoparticles are produced. These processes influence physiochemical properties, which are factors that can dictate toxicological effects. Toxicological assessment includes exposure scenario (e.g. environmental, occupational), route of exposure, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics. Broader considerations include pathology, risk assessment, regulation, and treatment after injury. This review aims to consolidate the most relevant and up-to-date research in these areas to provide an exhaustive toxicological profile of silica nanoparticles.