Silica dust is widely prevalent in the atmosphere and more common than the other types of dust, thus making silicosis the most frequently occurring pneumoconiosis. In India also, studies carried out by National Institute of Occupational Health have shown high prevalence of silicosis in small factories and even in nonoccupational exposed subjects. The postero-anterior chest radiographs remain the key tool in diagnosing and assessing the extent and severity of interstitial lung disease. Although Computed Tomography detects finer anatomical structure than radiography it could not get popularity because of its cost. On the basis of histological features of silicosis many potential biomarkers such as Cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin 1, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, Serum Copper, Fas ligand (FasL), etc. have been tried. However, further studies are needed to establish these potential biomarkers as true biomarker of silicosis.

The apparel manufacturing industry in Karnataka has assumed gigantic proportions. A large majority of the workers in this industry are women in the reproductive age group. Some companies have recognized this situation and are taking proactive steps in providing a range of services to the women employees. The objective of this study was to identify the outcomes of the services that are provided to the pregnant women in seven factories belonging to one such company. The study attempted to contact all registered pregnant women who had returned to work, in an attempt to identify the positive features and lacunae in the services that were provided. The results showed that half the workers who had been provided services in the antenatal period had not returned to work. A majority of the workers had availed of adequate antenatal care and most of them had delivered in the local Employees State Insurance (ESI) Hospital. Knowledge of antenatal care was generally good and most information had been received from the Health Care Providers (HCPs). The positive role of the HCPs in these factories has to be recognized and they should be provided with adequate support and training to perform their functions optimally.

A cross sectional study was done among 200 Information Technology (IT) professionals in the National Capital Region (NCR) to study the computer related health problems and role of ergonomic factors. The computer related morbidity was present in 93% of the study subjects. The visual problems were seen in 76% and musculoskeletal in 77.5% while 35% felt stressful symptoms. The study subjects having inadequate lighting and not using an antiglare had greater visual problem, i.e. 81.3 and 76.3%, respectively. Of the 152 subjects that had visual discomfort, 80.2% did not have the monitor at correct distance. This observation was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). The musculoskeletal problems were also higher in the study subjects using inappropriate ergonomics. The study has brought forth a very high prevalence of computer related morbidity among IT professionals and it further concluded that all aspects of ergonomic variables appear to be acting in cohesion in relation to computer related heath.

A cross-sectional study conducted in Thane district (Maharashtra) on 172 males and 116 females daily wage labourers revealed that none of them had access to occupational health services or any type of social security. Nearly one-third of the participants were 26-40 years old. The average number of health problems per participant was 1.22. Nearly two-thirds of the workers had musculo-skeletal problems, while 11.46% had various dermatological problems. These labourers were working in diverse environments and the nature of their jobs was always changing. Hence, it was not possible to pin point the causes of their health problems.

Occupational lead exposure caused male reproductive impairment, but information on spermatozoa activity, motility, and maturation is limited. In the above perspective, spermatozoa morphology, motility, activity, and nutritional status in lead exposed workers (7-15 years exposure) were assessed. Low sperm velocity, gross, and forward progressive motility with high stationary motile spermatozoa revealed lowering of sperm cell activity after exposure (P < 0.001), which was supported by higher seminal fructose and reduced sperm ATPase activity. Lowering of seminal plasma total protein with concomitant increase in free amino acid was prevalent as exposure increased (P < 0.001), suggesting disturbance in cellular nutritional status. Prolonged liquefaction time, reduced semen volume, viscosity, seminal plasma protein, fructose, and cholesterol level among workers indicated accessory sex gland dysfunction after occupational lead exposure (P < 0.001). Deterioration of sperm density and morphology was associated with high blood and semen lead of workers (P < 0.001) leading to infertility without altering FSH, LH, and testosterone level.

The present case report describes asymptomatic worker working in quartz crushing unit and having crepitations on ausculation in the middle zone of right lung, diagnosed as grade 1/1 silicotic according to ILO Classification of Pneumoconiosis. The patient had elevated levels of SACE and serum Copper. This is the first time that SACE and serum copper levels were measured in a covert case of silicosis particularly in India.

The demonstration of cysts of Giardia lamblia from the concentrative faecal samples revealed the presence of Giardiasis in children with diarrhoea. The quantitative estimation of vitamin A from the serum specimen of healthy and infected patients have disclosed the association of steatorrhea with malabsorption. There was a progessive loss of Vitamin A with respect to the infection of the protozoan understudy. The results are discussed with relation to the preventive measures. It is suggested that the schools should provide protected water bleached with iodine and boiled.