Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward
Abstract Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). It is the oldest known occupational disease, yet its elimination remains a global public health concern. Workers in traditional industries such as mining and construction...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Discover Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00872-4 |
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| author | Swati Joshi Mugdha Tiwari Shweta Pasi Gitika Kharkwal |
| author_facet | Swati Joshi Mugdha Tiwari Shweta Pasi Gitika Kharkwal |
| author_sort | Swati Joshi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). It is the oldest known occupational disease, yet its elimination remains a global public health concern. Workers in traditional industries such as mining and construction, as well as newly emerging industries such as artificial stone cutting, are at high risk. It is estimated that approximately 230 million workers are exposed to silica dust worldwide, of which 34 million workers are in China and India alone, indicating a huge occupational risk to workers. Silicosis is associated with severe comorbidities, including tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney diseases, and lung cancer. Despite international initiatives like the Global Programme for the Elimination of Silicosis (GPES) and national policies, the disease persists due to gaps in awareness, surveillance, enforcement, and preventive interventions. This review critically examines the current state of knowledge, challenges in silicosis elimination, and policy frameworks to mitigate exposure and provide a roadmap for future action. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8df47ed954824cf5a404bb8d158d8cfe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 3005-0774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8df47ed954824cf5a404bb8d158d8cfe2025-08-20T03:42:44ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-08-0122111910.1186/s12982-025-00872-4Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forwardSwati Joshi0Mugdha Tiwari1Shweta Pasi2Gitika Kharkwal3ICMR-National Institute of Occupational HealthICMR-National Institute of Occupational HealthICMR-National Institute of Occupational HealthICMR-National Institute of Occupational HealthAbstract Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). It is the oldest known occupational disease, yet its elimination remains a global public health concern. Workers in traditional industries such as mining and construction, as well as newly emerging industries such as artificial stone cutting, are at high risk. It is estimated that approximately 230 million workers are exposed to silica dust worldwide, of which 34 million workers are in China and India alone, indicating a huge occupational risk to workers. Silicosis is associated with severe comorbidities, including tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney diseases, and lung cancer. Despite international initiatives like the Global Programme for the Elimination of Silicosis (GPES) and national policies, the disease persists due to gaps in awareness, surveillance, enforcement, and preventive interventions. This review critically examines the current state of knowledge, challenges in silicosis elimination, and policy frameworks to mitigate exposure and provide a roadmap for future action.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00872-4Crystalline silicaOccupational healthSilicosisWorkplace safetyPolicyPublic health |
| spellingShingle | Swati Joshi Mugdha Tiwari Shweta Pasi Gitika Kharkwal Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward Discover Public Health Crystalline silica Occupational health Silicosis Workplace safety Policy Public health |
| title | Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward |
| title_full | Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward |
| title_fullStr | Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward |
| title_short | Global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward |
| title_sort | global workplace health and safety policies for silicosis elimination and way forward |
| topic | Crystalline silica Occupational health Silicosis Workplace safety Policy Public health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00872-4 |
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