Occupational Mining Exposure and Its Intergenerational Effects on Parental Health and Children’s Educational Well-Being in Kolar Gold Fields: A Review

Abstract

Active mining has left long-term health, social and education impacts on the people of Kolar Gold Fields which far outweigh the time they were actually working in the mines. This review begins by investigating the impact on the respiratory, musculoskeletal, psychological and functional health of workers from prolonged exposure to respirable silica, heat, noise, vibration, toxic materials and physically demanding work, and how that can be passed on to their families. Chronic illness and disability can lead to decreased livelihood and productivity, higher treatment costs, changed care roles, and diminished household security. Children can thus be affected by a lack of food security, stress, poor access to learning, absenteeism, shortened learning time, burden of child care responsibilities and pressures to enter paid labour. Resilience and educational continuity are also identified as outcomes that are influenced by effective exposure control, early diagnosis, chronic disease management, income protection, balanced care taking, supportive schools and accessible welfare services. From the mining environment, evidence has emerged that highlights the need to reduce the silica content of dust, screen for silicosis and tuberculosis, screen for heat, toxicological and other risks, as well as for continued respiratory follow-up. This coordinated action is essential both within occupational health services, and between the different sectors of the school, the labour authorities, welfare agencies, social workers and community organisations, in order to protect affected households. Providing a range of services for children's attendance, participation, progression and aspirations including health and compensation, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, nutrition and educational assistance. The illness among parents related to the mining activity should, therefore, be considered as a persistent issue in the family, school and public health arena in Kolar Gold Fields from generation to generation and community to community.