No protection from deadly silicosis

In the Burimari land port area of Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila there are around thirty limestone grinding factories producing lime powder for use as poultry feed. These factories provide thousands of jobs, mostly to young men who work dawn to dusk for an income of up to Tk 350 per day. The pay isn't much but for many families it's an economic lifeline. Without safety equipment for workers however, it can also be a death sentence.

The incurable lung disease silicosis is caused by exposure to the silica dust commonly present in limestone. Symptoms can present themselves within only a few months of regular exposure.

In Burimari many have died. Many others are ill. The risk of silicosis is high since factory workers are not provided with the basic masks and gloves that might offer protection. Nor, on their modest incomes, can they easily afford to buy their own.

“Doctors warn us that silica dust is the main cause of silicosis,” says worker Manjum Ali, 38, from Burimari village. “But we have no alternative to working in the factories. We can't avoid inhaling the dust. In order to secure a livelihood we must face this risk.”

“In and around the factories a dense fog of white limestone dust hangs in the air,” says another worker, Nazrul Islam, 32, from nearby Islampur village. “Except for our bloodshot eyes, from head to toe we are covered in white.”

“The factory owners never provide protective equipment like face masks and gloves,” notes worker Nabrul Islam, 48, from Burimari. “We never use these essential items.”

According to Burimari union chairman Abu Sayeed Newaz Nishat, at least 63 people in the area have died from silicosis in the last seven years. “Many other labourers are already suffering the disease,” he says.

“In the primary stage the disease is called 'simple silicosis' says Patgram upazila's residential medical officer Dr Rafiqul Islam. “If the patient refrains from further exposure to silica dust, their health will not deteriorate further. But if the silicosis reaches the second stage, the prognosis is likely fatal. The condition will gradually worsen until the patient dies.”

Safor Uddin, the Burimari land port unit president of the Sangjukta Sramik Federation told The Daily Star that their organisation has urged factory owners to implement safety measures, especially masks and gloves. “They are yet to reply to our demands,” he says.

One factory owner, Manowar Hossain, claims that he and some others have previously provided face masks to the workers but they don't use them because the masks cause the workers to feel hot while working.

“All the factory owners have been asked to ensure worker safety measures are in place by this April,” says Patgram upazila nirbahi officer Noor Qutubul Alam. “With the help of the union chairman and local council, we are also campaigning to build awareness of the risks to encourage workers to use the safety equipment.”