There are aspects of factories, apart from the noise that they emit, that can pose health hazards to people. Some factories can cause more than hearing impairment in many cases; with fumes that may cause fatal respiratory diseases. Certain industries like the Agate (a type of quartz) industry in Gujarat, the brassware industry in Moradabad and the carpet factories of Uttar Pradesh are cases in point. The workers in these factories are routinely exposed to harmful chemical and metallic fumes, poisonous dust, smoke and vapours. These workers also include a large number of children who acquire these diseases very early in life. The diseases include silicosis, obstruction of the air pathways, tuberculosis, fibrosis and various kinds of allergies, that may result from the grinding and moulding of stones. It has also been noted that the highest incidence of respiratory illnesses occur in grinders. These findings were presented at the International Conference on Occupational Respiratory Disorders held in Lucknow recently. (PTI)