By Ahmed Al-Shanaf

Translated by Aisha El-Awady

Seventy percent of those working in the ceramics industry suffer from respiratory diseases.

“A lethal vocation” is the best description of Khalil Gawda’s occupation. Gawda, a 55 year-old-man, has been working for most of his life in the ceramics industry and was forced to work in the quarries at a young age as a means to provide for his mother and younger siblings after the death of his father.

He was one of the first to later join a well known ceramics company, which has become one of the most prominent ceramics companies in the Middle East.

“I am currently suffering from cancer and chronic allergic bronchitis which were caused by the fine powder and ceramic glaze that I have been working in my whole life,” said Gawda.

He went on to say, “These companies drain the life out of us and then throw us away. I’ve been working with the company for 30 years, since the day it began operating and then when I got sick no one even bothered to check in on me.”

The Production Manager at one of the ceramics companies in Egypt, a chemist who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the ceramics industry depends on the use of zirconium silicate (Zn-Sio2), a florescent substance used to bleach the base of the ceramic tiles, and ceramic glazes (for the surface of the tiles) which are very fine powders used in the manufacturing process. These, as well as other materials used, such as calcium carbonate, cause serious and chronic illnesses.

He went on to explain that in most industries here in Egypt, the use of occupational safety equipment is only a recent development. He also claims that some of the available safety equipment is too primitive and does not offer adequate protection. Not to mention, the lack of awareness among the workers towards the importance of using such equipment and the fact that some of the workers only use the safety gear during inspections of the factory, endangering their own health.

According to a study on the ceramics industry in Egypt prepared by the Ministry of Commerce in 2003, “Italy’s reduced contribution to the world's ceramic tile production during the same year can be explained by the increased number of developing countries that have become significant contributors to the ceramics industry. In Egypt, 70 percent of the 40,000 workers involved in the ceramics industry have respiratory illnesses which in some cases develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Those living near ceramics factories also developed illnesses such as asthma, allergic bronchitis and shortness of breath.”

Dr. Ahmad Abdel Wahab, a professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences, at Zagazig University, said that due to the declining environmental conditions caused by inadequate waste management, Egypt spends 24 million Egyptian pounds annually, according to a joint report by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and World Bank. The report goes on to say that investment in the area of waste management is a win-win situation; in addition to improving public health and environmental conditions, it is a very profitable business, point in case, the annual waste of 6th October City alone, brings in a profit of 6 million Egyptian pounds.

Abdel Wahab stressed the importance of locating waste recycling zones and hazardous industries such as the textile industry which uses hazardous materials such as mercury, away from living areas to avoid their negative impact on people’s health. He says that by products from the iron and steel industry, for instance, are used by the cement industry to increase cement production, although this has negative health effects. He also says that the number of cement factories in Egypt has gone up from 3 to 27.

He pointed to the fact that recycling certain waste materials can cause cancer as well as other diseases in man. For example, industrial waste containing jerry cans and tanks are sometimes recycled by small unlicensed recycling plants, although, according to law, these materials should be buried and kept away from man and animals.

Abdel Wahab explained that there are a number of good investment opportunities. For example, biofuels made from our agricultural waste is worth millions of Egyptian pounds.

According to Dr. Ramadan Nafi, a professor at Zagzig University specialized in chest and respiratory problems, if a person inhales more industrial dust than the respiratory system can handle; these particles will become deposited within the lung tissue causing damage. He explained that certain types of dust such as silica dust and asbestos can cause pulmonary fibrosis and that the latter also lead to lung cancer whereas, wood dust can cause allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks.

Egyptian labor law no.12, Article 211 for the year 2003 states that, “the facility and its branches must provide means of protection from chemical hazards which may result from dealing with chemicals in their solid, liquid or gaseous states.”

“When dealing with chemicals the following must be observed: Workers must not be exposed to cancerous materials or chemicals beyond the maximum concentration levels, and the chemical stockpile should not exceed threshold levels for each.”

It is also stated that “the law mandates that necessary precautions be taken to protect the facility and its workers during the transportation, storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals, as well as during hazardous chemical waste disposal.”In addition, “The workers should be taught how to handle hazardous chemicals and cancerous material and they should be educated on the risks involved and safety precautions needed.”

The question now, is who will protect Gawda and the other factory workers from the harmful, disease inducing effects of these chemicals? Who will protect them from the greed of their employers? And finally, who will compensate them for the chronic diseases they now suffer and guarantee they receive health care after retirement?