The PTRC, in its investigation, has also found that the agate industry is a death trap for all the workers, as most of them work as bonded labourers for life. Even compensation after death is not forthcoming, as a majority of the workers are not covered under the Employee’s State Insurance Act.

What is silicosis?
According to the World Health Organisation, silicosis is one of the oldest occupational diseases, and still kills thousands of people every year across the globe. It is an incurable lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica. The disease causes irreversible lung damage before any symptom develops. The illness it causes may continue to worsen even after exposure stops. Silicosis also reduces a patient’s immunity to tuberculosis, lung cancer, renal diseases, arthritis and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.