Introduction
In coal and metalliferous mines, dust exposure is a major occupational hazard. Continuous inhalation of fine respirable dust can lead to irreversible lung diseases such as silicosis and pneumoconiosis. Both are officially listed as notified diseases under the Mines Act, 1952, meaning every case must be reported to DGMS, and affected workers are entitled to compensation. For DGMS exams, these diseases are important under General Safety & Health topics, as questions are frequently asked on definitions, symptoms, preventive measures, and legal provisions.

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H2: What are Dust Diseases?

• Definition: Occupational lung diseases caused by prolonged inhalation of mineral dust.
• Main forms in mining:
  • Silicosis (caused by silica dust in metalliferous mines, tunnelling, stone cutting).
  • Pneumoconiosis (coal workers’ disease due to coal dust).
• Pathology: Dust particles lodge in lungs → fibrosis → reduced lung function → breathlessness & disability.
• Legal aspect: Mines Act, 1952 – Schedule of Notified Diseases → mandatory reporting to DGMS.

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H2: Silicosis vs Pneumoconiosis

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H2: DGMS Prevention Methods

• Dust suppression:
  • Water spraying on drill holes, conveyors, and haul roads.
  • Wet drilling instead of dry drilling.
• Dust extraction & ventilation:
  • Exhaust fans, scrubbers, cyclone dust collectors.
• Monitoring:
  • Dust sampling using gravimetric samplers.
  • Regular air quality surveys and personal exposure checks.
• Medical surveillance:
  • Pre-employment chest X-ray & lung function tests.
  • Periodical medical exams.
• Personal protection:
  • Compulsory use of respirators/dust masks in high dust zones.
• Legal compliance:
  • Mines Act, 1952 & Mines Rules.
  • DGMS Circulars (e.g., DGMS Circular on Dust Suppression 2020).
• Training & awareness:
  • Educating workers on dust hazards, PPE, and early symptom reporting.

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H3: Exam-Oriented Quick Notes

• Dust diseases = Notified diseases under Mines Act.
• Silicosis = silica dust; Pneumoconiosis = coal dust.
• DGMS requires dust suppression + monitoring.
• PPE + wet drilling mandatory in high-dust zones.
• Medical surveillance = pre-employment + periodical.
• Reporting to DGMS is mandatory.
• Compensation payable under Mines Act.
• Dust levels = controlled by DGMS exposure limits.

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📝 Descriptive Model Answer
Q: What are silicosis and pneumoconiosis? Explain their causes, symptoms, and preventive measures prescribed by DGMS.
Answer: Silicosis and pneumoconiosis are dust-induced occupational lung diseases notified under the Mines Act, 1952. Silicosis occurs due to inhalation of crystalline silica dust, common in metalliferous mines and tunnelling. Pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease, occurs in coal mines due to coal dust inhalation. Both diseases cause lung fibrosis, leading to chronic cough, breathlessness, and reduced working capacity. DGMS mandates dust suppression by wet drilling and spraying, dust monitoring with gravimetric samplers, compulsory PPE, and periodic medical examinations. Mines Act makes reporting compulsory, and compensation is provided to affected workers.

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🎯 MCQs – Dust Diseases in Mines
Q1 Silicosis is caused by inhalation of:
A. Coal dust
B. Silica dust
C. Iron dust
D. Asbestos dust
E. Sulphide dust
Answer: B.
Solution: Silicosis arises from crystalline silica dust.

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Q2 Pneumoconiosis is also called:
A. Black lung disease
B. White lung disease
C. Yellow fever
D. Silica fibrosis
E. Asbestosis
Answer: A.
Solution: Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis = black lung.

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Q3 Dust diseases are legally recognized as:
A. Accidents
B. Notified diseases
C. Industrial disputes
D. Injuries
E. Violations
Answer: B.
Solution: Notified diseases under Mines Act.

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Q4 Primary symptom of pneumoconiosis:
A. Headache
B. Skin rash
C. Chronic cough & breathlessness
D. Eye irritation
E. Hearing loss
Answer: C.
Solution: Lungs primarily affected.

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Q5 Which mines face highest risk of silicosis?
A. Coal mines
B. Metalliferous mines
C. Gold only
D. Quarries only
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Quartz-rich metalliferous mines.

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Q6 Dust exposure is checked with:
A. Gravimetric sampler
B. Psychrometer
C. Barometer
D. Altimeter
E. Compass
Answer: A.
Solution: Gravimetric sampler monitors dust.

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Q7 Which DGMS circular deals with dust?
A. Winding safety
B. Dust suppression 2020
C. Explosives storage
D. Mine plans
E. Training syllabus
Answer: B.
Solution: Special DGMS circulars cover dust hazards.

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Q8 Pre-employment medical test must include:
A. Chest X-ray
B. Eye test only
C. Hearing only
D. Fitness only
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Chest X-ray baseline required.

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Q9 Best method of dust suppression in drilling:
A. Dry drilling
B. Wet drilling with water sprays
C. Air blowing
D. Cloth filter
E. No control
Answer: B.
Solution: Wet drilling reduces dust effectively.

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Q10 Which is NOT a dust disease?
A. Silicosis
B. Pneumoconiosis
C. Asbestosis
D. Tuberculosis
E. Byssinosis
Answer: D.
Solution: TB is infection, not dust disease.

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Q11 Pneumoconiosis is common in:
A. Coal mines
B. Iron ore mines
C. Stone quarries
D. Gold mines
E. Asbestos factories
Answer: A.
Solution: Coal dust causes pneumoconiosis.

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Q12 Best PPE against dust:
A. Goggles
B. Ear plugs
C. Respiratory masks
D. Helmets
E. Gloves
Answer: C.
Solution: Masks/respirators protect lungs.

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Q13 Compensation is payable under:
A. Mines Act
B. Factories Act
C. Shops Act
D. Wages Act
E. Contract Act
Answer: A.
Solution: Mines Act provides compensation.

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Q14 Typical X-ray of silicosis shows:
A. Fibrotic nodules in lungs
B. Black nails
C. Skull spots
D. Skin rash
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Nodular fibrosis on chest X-ray.

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Q15 Dust collectors work on principle of:
A. Centrifugal force & filtration
B. Magnetism
C. Photosynthesis
D. Evaporation
E. Combustion
Answer: A.
Solution: Cyclones & filters remove dust.

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Q16 Miner’s phthisis =
A. Pneumoconiosis
B. Silicosis
C. TB
D. Asbestosis
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Old name for silicosis.

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Q17 DGMS mandates dust sampling frequency as:
A. Once at mine start
B. Weekly/monthly
C. Yearly only
D. Not required
E. Worker’s choice
Answer: B.
Solution: Periodic dust sampling required.

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Q18 Manager’s legal duty for dust hazards:
A. Provide PPE, suppression, monitoring & medical exams
B. Ignore unless complaint arises
C. Leave to contractor
D. Install fans only
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Comprehensive duty under law.

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Q19 Coal mine dust limits are fixed by:
A. DGMS & Indian standards
B. Panchayat
C. Contractor
D. Worker’s choice
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Legal exposure limits by DGMS.

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Q20 Early detection of dust disease requires:
A. Wage slips
B. Chest X-rays & lung function tests
C. Eye checkups
D. Training
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Health surveillance = early detection.

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Q21 Silicosis is most dangerous because:
A. It can be fully cured
B. It is irreversible and progressive
C. It affects skin only
D. It occurs only in old workers
E. It is seasonal
Answer: B.
Solution: Silicosis is incurable and worsens with time.

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Q22 DGMS requires dust control measures under which regulations?
A. CMR 2017 & MMR 1961
B. Payment of Wages Act
C. Industrial Disputes Act
D. Mines Rescue Rules only
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Dust suppression rules are part of CMR & MMR.

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Q23 Workers diagnosed with dust disease must be:
A. Allowed to work normally
B. Removed from dusty areas and compensated
C. Ignored if mild
D. Sent to contractor
E. Suspended without pay
Answer: B.
Solution: Mines Act requires removal + compensation.

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Q24 Byssinosis is associated with:
A. Coal mines
B. Cotton/textile industry
C. Gold mining
D. Stone cutting
E. Iron ore mines
Answer: B.
Solution: Byssinosis = cotton dust exposure, not mining dust.

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Q25 Which statutory authority enforces dust disease prevention in Indian mines?
A. Ministry of Labour only
B. DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety)
C. State Pollution Board
D. Contractor’s committee
E. Mine owner’s union
Answer: B.
Solution: DGMS enforces dust control & worker health measures.