An inter-ministerial investigation carried out at the Bjemina quarry site pointed out that quarries in and around the area could be negatively affecting the local communities' health and crops. The report stated that quarries were practising unscientific quarrying and thereby posing a threat to the environment and workers. The investigation was carried out after local communities complained that quarries were affecting their health, crops and properties. Singye Group of Companies in Bjemina and Bhutan Marble Mining Pvt Limited (BMMPL) in Gidakom own the factories and quarries under investigation. However, the health and agriculture teams reported that more in-depth research was needed. The health report stated a high rate of 55 tuberculosis (TB) cases in a population of 952 residents and workers in the area between1998 to 2008. Of these, 45 were from Bjemina, four near sawmills and six from Gidakom. The report said the TB cases in the area were higher than other population groups of a similar size, which could be attributed to the environment created by the presence of various factories. It also states that blasting and crushing of granite dust from stone quarries emit silica dust, which can cause tuberculosis, chronic lung diseases and lung cancer. Marble dust releases calcium dust particles, which can cause respiratory diseases, eye and skin irritation. There were also 217 reported accident and injury cases from 2003 to 2008, pointing to unsafe conditions for labourers. Of these, 133 are Singye Company's and 84 are from BMMPL. The health ministry's report calls for routine monitoring of health conditions of factory workers and surrounding local population. The agriculture study found that dust was settling on leaves and plants, which is known to affect