Case series of acute and accelerated silicosis among ramming mass workers from West Bengal

Ramming mass has 95-99% silica content. It is produced by crushing boulders. These boulders are mined mainly in the West Bardhhaman, West Bengal; Chot Nagpur plateau of Jharkhand, during crushing, producing granules of various sizes in special crushing units. These granules are used to produce materials for “Ramming mass”. crushing of boulders gives rise to dust inhalation of which causes silicosis. These crushing units are manned extensively by agricultural workforces migrated from North 24 Parganas. Agriculture contributes indeed to 17.77% of west Bengal state's GDP and employs to 42.82% of % state's productive workforce but this is not sufficient for generating a livelihood for all. there is a long precedent of these workers migrating to work in the crusher sites. so, the area has a high number of silicosis cases. this study is conducted in the Minakhan, Basirhat health district (North 24 parganas). previously diagnosed 25 cases of silicosis attended the health camp in rural hospitals as per the orders of the authorities. chest x ray using a 300 ma powered x-ray machine has been used, the chest x ray was interpreted as per ILO-WHO grading. duration of exposure of 10 years or less, as obtained from history and x ray, changes have confirmed them as acute and accelerated silicosis. short duration of exposure and typical radiological changes favour the acute and accelerated diagnosis. a qualitative study shows that a lack of sustainable income from agriculture and assured employment opportunities are pull factors for joining high-risk jobs like crushing mills.