Lok Sabha Question No. 1069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Steps to Ameliorate Lung Diseases
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: B. Y. Raghavendra, Prathap Simha, Umesh G. Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF  COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1069 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## Steps to Ameliorate Lung Diseases

## 1069. SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: DR. UMESH G. JADHAV:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ameliorate lung  diseases collectively termed Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease (CMDLD) including Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis, silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of  the  number  of such  diseases reported  in the  State of Karnataka  and  the action being initiated in this regard?

## Answer

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a) & (b) Steps taken to ameliorate lung diseases by coal companies are below as:

## 1. Coal India Limited (CIL):

- I. Adequate precautionary measures are being taken for prevention and control of dust as per Regulation no. 143, 144 and 145 of Coal Mine Regulation 2017 by mines of CIL and  its subsidiary.
- II. Screening at regular intervals to check for the development of disease and initiate appropriate measures. Initial Medical Examinations for newly joining employees and Periodic medical examinations for existing employees are undertaken at prescribed regular intervals at equipped centres of the company. On confirmation of diagnosis of any  of  the  dust  related  diseases  appropriate  treatment  measures  are  initiated  at company hospitals, referrals are made as and if required to super specialty private empanelled hospitals and appropriate rehabilitation measures are initiated.

## 2. NLC India Limited (NLCIL):

## 2.1 Periodical Medical examination for the people working in Mines:

- I. The OHS (Occupational Health Services) unit at NLC India Hospital implements Periodic Medical  Examination  (PME)  programme  as  per  DGMS  guidelines  to monitor  the  occupational  health  and  wellbeing  of  miners.  PME  covers  the  entire mining population once in 3 years as per DGMS guidelines.
- II. OHS  also  complies  with  continuous  monitoring  of  health  and  wellbeing  of employees engaged in mines, including contract workmen. This cycle is repeated periodically that  enables OHS to have proper perspective on occupational health and wellbeing of miners.
- III. PME also focuses on prevention for any occupationally related respiratory illness through  appropriate investigations like Chest X Ray and Lung Function Tests. OHS also  undertakes  Master  Health  Checkup  for  executives  and  non-executives  from across all units as preventive health strategy.
- IV. There  are  6  full  time  AFIH  (Associate  Fellowship  in  Industrial  Health)  qualified doctors  and a full time Chest Physician who has expertise in screening and diagnosing occupational lung diseases.

## 2.2 Air Quality Monitoring:

- I. 13 numbers of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (AAQMS) installed in the surrounding villages of Lignite Mines and being monitored by IIT-Madras.
- II. The results of Air quality are within the permissible limits and submitted to statutory officials periodically.
- III. Tamil  Nadu  Pollution  Control  Board  (TNPCB)  conducts  periodical  surveys  to monitor the  Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) in the Mining Units and surrounding villages and the values are well within the permissible limits.

## 3. Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL):

Periodical Medical Examination are being conducted to the employees every 5  years for below 45 years of age and every 2 ½ years for above 45 years.

(c)  Since  CIL,  NLCIL  and  SCCL  do  not  have  any  coal  mine  in the state of Karnataka,  the  question  of  details  of  the  number  of  such  diseases  reported  in  the State of Karnataka does not arise.

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