RAIPUR, Nov. 23 -- A study by the National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), a body of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), says that mining in Tamnar block in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district has put the tribals in an increased risk of acute respiratory infection (ARI).
The mining can also lead to tuberculosis and road traffic accidents. Besides, environmental health hazards and undernutrition increases the risk further for various diseases, the report said.
ARI (20.9 percent) was much higher than a National Health and Family Survey (NFHS) Chhattisgarh report where it was only 2.2 percent in the two weeks before the survey. The reason could be due to environment pollution or poor air quality index, the study said....