The Agate Industry and Silicosis in Khambhat, India

Abstract

Agate stones have been shaped and polished into beads and other decorative items for thousands of years in Khambhat, India. Agate is a silicate quartz that produces a fine dust when shaped and polished. The people who shape and polish the stones in workshops in their homes are being sickened with silicosis, as are their families and neighbors. These home-based workshops are unregulated and the workers and their families have no access to occupational health services or workers' compensation when they become ill. Occupational health activists have tried to find an effective strategy to confront these working conditions and protect the health and livelihood of the agate workers. They have had limited success, and huge challenges remain.

Reducing agate dust exposure in Khambhat, India: Protective practices, barriers, and opportunities

“…We also demonstrated for the first time that use of prevention practices is low among workers' family members (33%) and very low among neighbors (8%) who live in close proximity to agate processing. As silicosis is prevalent not only in workers, but in their family members and neighbors, further promotion of preventative behaviors is needed throughout entire agate‐processing communities.…”

“…In India, an estimated 3 million workers are exposed to silica dust, including an estimated 15 000‐50 000 estimated workers in the agate industry . Agate is a semi‐precious stone used to make jewellery and other decorative items, which are primarily exported to the United States, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the European Union . The grinding, polishing, and slicing of agate produces large amounts of fine silica particles (2‐5 µm) that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.…”

“…The grinding, polishing, and slicing of agate produces large amounts of fine silica particles (2‐5 µm) that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. Consequently, silicosis and tuberculosis endemics are ongoing in and around Khambhat, Gujarat, where the 2500‐year‐old industry is located . Agate workers, their families, and the surrounding communities are disproportionately affected.…”

“…These levels far exceed the permissible respirable dust level of 0.28 mg/m 3 in India, and even lower limits used in many other jurisdictions. Silicosis prevalence among the workers' family members (11%), and other community members (6.8%), further highlighted the danger of the fine layer of silica dust, which is said to blanket the region . (see figure A.1 in Supplementary Material Data ).…”

“…Cost‐benefit analyses, conducted from a societal perspective, have indicated the overall benefit associated with their installation . However, workers often lack access to these technologies, likely due to various financial, occupational, and knowledge barriers . Previous studies have examined the use of prevention practices among workers in Khambhat and found the use associated with educational level .…”