Bhagia Lakho J, Sadhu H G
National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad - 380 016, India.
Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2008 Dec;12(3):128-31. doi: 10.4103/0019-5278.44694.
It is well known that an exposure to crystalline silica gives rise to silicosis and silico-tuberculosis (TB). In the agate industry of Khambhat (Gujarat) not only workers but also people staying in the vicinity of the agate-grinding facilities are exposed to crystalline silica. To reduce their dust exposure, dust control devices were developed. There are approximately 500 grinding machines located in Khambhat. A cost-benefit analysis of installing dust control devices on all agate-grinding machines was carried out by adding all positive factors and benefits and subtracting the negatives and costs. It was concluded that by installing dust control devices not only could the prevalence of silicosis and TB be reduced but also, in the long run, there could be financial benefits.
众所周知，接触结晶二氧化硅会导致矽肺病和硅肺结核。在坎贝（古吉拉特邦）的玛瑙行业，不仅工人，而且住在玛瑙研磨设施附近的人也会接触到结晶二氧化硅。为了减少他们的粉尘接触，开发了粉尘控制装置。坎贝大约有500台研磨机。通过将所有积极因素和益处相加，并减去消极因素和成本，对在所有玛瑙研磨机上安装粉尘控制装置进行了成本效益分析。得出的结论是，安装粉尘控制装置不仅可以降低矽肺病和肺结核的患病率，而且从长远来看，还会有经济效益。
