Silicosis is an incurable lung disease which kills thousands around the world, caused by inhaling silica dust found in rock, sand, quartz and many building materials. It can lead to breathing difficulties, regular coughing, chest pains and, sometimes, tuberculosis and other chest infections.
Two years ago, at the age of 17, Urmila Yadav became one of the youngest certified cases of silicosis in India. The National Human Rights Commission of India calculates the average age of onset of silicosis at 27 years. In the village of Budhpura, located in India's north-western state of Rajasthan, a community meeting was taking place filled with women of different ages. All of their husbands had died while working in the mines as they succumbed to silicosis. In this village where mining and quarry work is the only occupation, silicosis is a commonplace disease that strikes almost every family, and it is mostly men who are affected. More men than women are vulnerable to the disease, because of higher exposure over a period of time.
Rajasthan, which has the highest number of mining leases, has been the epicentre of silicosis in India. The number of silicosis certified patients in Rajasthan, according to government data, is 8,441. Actual numbers are very likely to be an under-estimate and be much higher, according to advocacy groups.
Pekham Basu, an independent researcher on occupational disease among mine workers of Rajasthan. She suspects there could be more children with silicosis but the government will hesitate to certify young people. "If children are diagnosed with silicosis, it means they are either living close to the mines, or they are working in the mines, both of which are illegal."
Before she found out she had silicosis, Urmila had never heard of it. She knew that the dust was not good for her, so she would cover her face with a scarf when she carved stones, which is little protection against fine silica particles. She is not aware of the fatal consequences of silicosis, that it is not a treatable disease. She thinks she has been cured.
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