UPSC Prelims 2005 Q21: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
Pneumoconiosis afflicts the workers who work mainly in
- (a) Tanneries
- (b) Coal mining industry
- (c) Distilleries
- (d) Glass industry
Answer: (b) Coal mining industry
Explanation
Pneumoconiosis and occupations
| Industry | Disease risk |
|---|---|
| Coal mining | Pneumoconiosis (black lung) from coal dust |
| Tanneries | Skin and chemical exposure |
| Distilleries | Alcohol and fumes exposure |
| Glass industry | Heat, silica; but pneumoconiosis is classically coal |
Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling dust, classically among coal miners.
Answer: (b) Coal mining industry.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Tannery workers face skin and chemical hazards.
- (b) CORRECT. Coal miners are affected by pneumoconiosis.
- (c) Incorrect. Distillery workers do not face this dust disease.
- (d) Incorrect. The classic occupational group is coal miners.
Key point
Dust diseases: coal - pneumoconiosis; silica - silicosis; asbestos - asbestosis; cotton - byssinosis.
Remember
Pneumoconiosis: coal miners.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the glass industry because of silica (silicosis).
- Mixing with byssinosis of cotton mill workers.
- Ignoring the word pneumoconiosis (lung dust).
Exam tip
Pneumo means lung and coni means dust: lung dust disease of coal miners.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — pneumoconiosis
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) — Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis