Silicosis - time to review

Abstract

Silicosis, the oldest occupational disease is still in existence in this era though not many cases have been reported. So far only one case has been reported to the Ministry of Health since 1997, and 9 to the Ministry of Human Resources from 1989-1996, even though a diversity of workplaces and conditions prevail that will inevitably lead to new cases of silicosis. The present reported case was that of a 60 years old tomb stonecutter. He was admitted in the hospital for severe dyspnoea. An active surveillance was then earned out among his co-workers. Among the four that were screened one of them was diagnosed to have silicosis; he was asymptomatic. This shows the magnitude of the problem and that continuous active surveillance is essential to pick up new cases of silicosis. It is now time for us to review our strategies to prevent silicosis by creating awareness among the employers and employees, conduct health and hazard surveillance as well as improve educational efforts amongst our doctors.