Tuberculosis 481
Tuberculosis (TB)
Because miners often live in crowded conditions, work long hours without
enough food, and have little access to health care or medicines, they have
a high risk of getting TB. Signs of TB include a bad cough that will not go
away, fever, coughing up blood, feeling weak, weight loss, and night sweats.
Without proper treatment, a person can spread TB to others and can die.
TB can be fatal to anyone, but is especially dangerous for people weak
from hunger or other illnesses like HIV and AIDS. Lung damage from dust
increases the risk of TB even more.
When people live in crowded conditions, like
mining dormitories, TB can spread rapidly.
Good ventilation will reduce the chance of TB spreading through a mine,
miners’ dormitories, or homes. The best way to prevent TB among miners,
or any workers, is to create the conditions for good health through:
• better pay
• shorter work hours
• safer work conditions
• safe, clean living conditions
• clean water
• healthy food
• good health care
To prevent the spread of TB, it is important to make sure everyone with TB
gets proper treatment and medicine. Many governments provide free TB
treatment; to get medications, see a health worker. (For more information on
TB, see page 356 or a general health book such as Where There Is No Doctor.)
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012