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Background: There is a high prevalence of silicosis and other morbid conditions leading to early death among agate workers at Khambhat of Gujarat. Aims: The present study describes the prevalence of X-ray positive silicosis in a sample of a high-risk group visiting a clinic at Shakarpur of Khambhat. Settings and Design: A crosssectional study among 123 clinically suspected cases was conducted over 6 months. Materials and Methods: A chest physician and a radiologist independently evaluated the Chest X-rays of 123 clinically suspected patients of silicosis. Silicosis was confirmed if either of them rated the X-ray as positive. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were done using SPSS software version 14. Results: Out of 123 cases, 85 (69.1%) were confirmed as silicosis. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between males (70.3%) and females (69.4%). Workers with more than 10 years of exposure to silica had an odd ratio of 4.8, 95% CI (1.76, 13.60) compared to those with less than 10 years of exposure. A logistic regression analysis showed that for every extra year of exposure, the odds of getting silicosis increased by about 12%. Conclusions: This study highlights the catastrophic effects of exposures to silica in agate worker, which calls for urgent protective measures for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the result of an examination of a dendritic agates produced from central India during the reign of Maharaja Chhatrasal in the 1600s. Further analysis shows that these agates, exhibited by Tarun Adlakha of Indus Valley Commerce at the 2008 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, came from flows which erupted at the end of the Cretaceous period, as well as from tributaries of the Narmada River and from gray-green volcanic ash deposits. These agates were described by Adlakha as prime grades, with about 10% considered exceptional and about 5% or less that are dendritic.