Silicosis: How our workers are paying with their lungs

Silicosis is a silent killer, a disease that takes lives slowly and painfully while being completely preventable. Thousands of workers in the mining, construction, and manufacturing industries risk their lives every day due to the fine, invisible silica dust they inhale. The recent increase in silicosis cases should serve as an urgent wake-up call for policymakers, employers, and the general public to recognise and address this serious threat to worker health and safety.

Silicosis develops as silica dust enters the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring, making breathing more difficult over time. Workers who handle silica-containing materials such as stone, sand, and concrete are at high risk. 

Unfortunately, the symptoms of silicosis—chronic cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath—can appear years later, long after the damage is permanent. For affected workers, the condition often implies a lifetime of respiratory problems and an early death. Silicosis, unlike certain other workplace ailments, is incurable.

The consequences of silicosis extend beyond the individual. Families are devastated by the physical and financial costs, and communities lose healthy, productive individuals. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of workers worldwide are impacted, particularly in low- and middle-income nations where occupational health and safety rules may be less strictly enforced. Even in countries with more stringent worker safety regulations, silicosis persists due to inadequate safety standards and inconsistent inspections.

Many employers are aware of the risks but fail to protect their employees. Cutting costs is frequently prioritised over investing in high-quality safety equipment and comprehensive dust control methods. Workers report insufficient training on silica dust hazards, inadequate protective gear, and a lack of regular health screenings. This is nothing short of a breach of our duty to protect those who build our homes, roads, and cities. Workers' health and lives will continue to suffer unless urgent reforms are implemented.

To address this crisis, we need stronger policy initiatives and a commitment to enforcement. Current research must inform updates to occupational health regulations, including permissible silica dust exposure limits. Employers should be required to implement strict dust control measures, such as proper ventilation and personal protective equipment. Furthermore, all at-risk workers must undergo mandatory and periodic health tests.

Beyond prevention, those affected by silicosis need improved access to healthcare. Early detection and treatment are critical to slowing disease progression, yet many workers lack access to these services. Governments should consider establishing health funds or insurance schemes for high-risk occupations to cover medical costs related to silicosis and other occupational diseases. By prioritising early screenings and support services, we can assist affected individuals and their families.

Silicosis may be invisible, but its impact is painfully evident in the lives of those it touches. If we value workers' safety and dignity, we must act now to strengthen protections, enforce workplace standards, and ensure healthcare access. This is a matter of human rights, not just occupational safety. We cannot continue to let workers risk their lives for a paycheck without doing everything possible to protect them from this silent killer.

It is time for governments, industries, and communities to unite in the fight against silicosis. In doing so, we honour and protect the people who form the backbone of our economies—people who deserve better than to be sacrificed to preventable harm.

Zaziratul Zannat is a public health scholar and humanitarian aid practitioner in a non-profit international organisation based in South Asia.  

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.