How dust from India’s growing construction sector is impacting our health

India’s construction industry is a burgeoning sector projected to reach INR 36.58 trillion by 2028. It currently contributes 8% to the GDP, and employs over 40 million people, according to the India Construction Industry Report 2024. However, rapid construction growth seems to have significantly increased dust pollution. According to a CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment, and Water) study, construction site dust lowers air quality locally and regionally. In cities like Delhi, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, this re-suspended dust accounts for about 18% to 20% of PM2.5, leading to frequent criticism of the sector for poor air quality. According to CEEW, excavation, earthwork, roadwork, and vehicle movement are significant sources of dust pollution at work sites. Unpaved site roads can raise PM2.5 levels during vehicle movement by about 2.5 times compared to when no work is done. Dust is an invisible hazard, and so the risk of its ill health effects is grossly underperceived. Research shows that construction dust causes serious health issues not only among workers, but also to residents living near construction sites. Respirable silica (airborne crystalline silica) is small enough to reach the lungs’ gas exchange areas, called alveoli. High concentrations, especially from quartz, can cause lung diseases such as silicosis, pneumoconiosis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, as well as renal disorders. At construction sites, the risk is even greater. Poor ventilation leads to dust concentration, increasing the workers’ risk of respiratory diseases as they inhale polluted air throughout the day. Research shows silica levels in the atmosphere are especially elevated during finishing, bricklaying, carpentry, concrete drilling, demolition, mortar mixing, block wall laying, core drilling, cutting, dowel drilling, and grinding—much higher than in typical ambient particulate matter. Construction workers face elevated risks particularly when cutting concrete. The problem is especially severe in developing countries like India, where many labourers work in unsafe environments, without safety gear or without information provided about the risks they may incur. What is needed to assess dust and the health risks it poses, is a tool called as COSHH (control of substances hazards to health), a specific form of risk assessment. There is no better time than now, with the Central Pollution Control Board and the Union government having introduced new Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Rules and standardised dust mitigation standard operating procedures for on-site materials. These measures are designed to establish consistent protocols for containment, covering, and disposal at both local and municipal levels across all States. The flaw here, is that while the expectations of the government for self-regulation by industries may work in developed countries with a responsible mindset, India is still not yet ready for the culture of self-regulation: there is a need for stringent enforcement. The provision of adequate respiratory protective equipment (RPE), continuous health monitoring every six months as required by law, and practical training of workers in ways and means of protecting themselves against dust hazards has become essential. Mandatory health check-ups by the employers for their employees above the age of 40, are also part of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code that became fully enforceable in November 2025. are a step in the right direction What is also critically needed is a focus on primary controls to begin to reduce the exposure of dust hazards in the workplace. This approach will not only protect workers’ health, but will also help keep healthcare costs low in the long-term, and sustain productivity in a sector fundamental to India’s economic progress. There are several effective ways to control dust emissions on construction sites. The most important of these are dust control through covering stockpiles of materials, using water sprays or misting systems in cutting and demolition works, and providing wheel washes. Ensuring that roads are either paved or stabilised with temporary materials further reduces dust emissions. Using localised extraction vacuums in cutting and grinding work, as well as simple windbreak fencing or barrier systems, can significantly help control dust emissions in the surrounding area. Prioritising these measures, from design and procurement to daily operations, avoids dust becoming a hazard to the workers and the surrounding community. Training and behavioural interventions play a supportive role. Employers and principal contractors should also integrate dust control measures into tender requirements and performance audits, ensuring subcontractors are evaluated on environmental performance as well as on other project metrics. Similarly, when contractors are evaluated for technical competence, appropriate weightage must be given to their environmental performance to ensure they take it seriously during construction. Cities should embed construction dust control within broader air-quality management strategies. Targeted management of construction dust can lead to measurable reductions in residents’ daily exposure to pollution. Long-term progress depends on incentivizing best practices and building industry capacity to manage dust risks. Improving access to workplace health services, such as regular medical check-ups and compensation, will particularly benefit migrant labourers, who face the greatest risks. Tackling construction dust is an imperative task, not only for the environment but also for public health. Effective construction dust management solutions can help protect workers’ health, while also helping Indian cities meet cleaner air targets. The key to success is in the collaborative efforts of developers, the government, and society to ensure India’s progress is clean, healthy and sustainable. (Kamarajan M., is senior head - education, British Safety Council India. Kamarajan.M@britsafe.in)