According to an epidemiological study on silicosis in the State, out of 34 outdoor patients, primary prevention revealed that protective mask was used only by 19 per cent of the patients, respirator by 5 per cent, and plain cloth mask by 12 per cent while only five patients were aware about the risks involved in working in such occupations.
Yearly screening in the form of physical examination only had been conducted in 12 per cent of the patients. None of these patients was subjected to a chest X-ray or spirometry. All the patients were screened for sputum for AFB smear as per the guidelines of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) and 12 per cent of the patients had smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, the report stated.
This was revealed here at a workshop on ‘Occupational health hazards and Silicosis prevention from stone crushers and other Industries’ being organsied by Jeevanrekha Parishad (JRP) with the support of Workplace Health Without Borders (WHWB).
Experts observed at the workshop that since there is no expertise and facilities to diagnose silicosis in the district hospitals many of the stone crusher workers have been suffering from various respiratory symptoms and lung diseases.
Speaking on the occasion WHWB India Representative Dr OM Mallick laid emphasis on adoption of dust suppression technology (DST) at stone crushers and appealed to the stone crusher owners to follow the environment protocol for the welfare of the society.
He also assured to put the issues before the State Government to draft a State policy on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) while confirming that prevention of silicosis is the constitutional obligation of Government.
KIIT founder Dr Achyuta Samanta assured to provide support to conduct Epidemiological study on Silicosis in Odisha with the involvement of KIMS, WHWB and JRP.
Former Utkal University of Culture VC Dr Bimalendu Mohanty, Dr MR Mishra from JRP, All Odisha Stone Crushers’ Association president Dr Bipin Pattnaik and Dr BN Nayak of DFID also spoke.