Current Context : The Supreme Court directed the National Green Tribunal to monitor and ensure compliance with minimal standards in industries prone to silicosis disease and to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

• Researchers claim that present limits of daily exposure to silica dust can pose serious risks of developing silicosis.

ABOUT SILICOSIS

• Silicosis is a respiratory disease which causes a hardening of the lungs.
• It is caused by silica dust or silica crystals, which are found in soil, sand, concrete, mortar, granite and artificial stone.
• The disease is often seen in people who work in industries such as mining, construction, and stone cutting, where exposure to silica dust is common.
• Symptoms : Shortness of Breath, Cough, Chest Pain, Fatigue.

Silicosis is a progressive disease and has no cure.