An estimated 25 million men, women and children (approximately 20% of the workforce is under 18 years) work in the brick industry. And this number continues to rise in response to the construction boom in the rapidly growing cities of South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Due to its low threshold for entry, many of these workers and their families are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized in society – marginalized economically because they are poor and have few if any other options; marginalized socially in that many are ethnic minorities or migrants from other areas, or who have been displaced by conflict or environmental disaster.  Poverty levels are high among brick workers and debt bondage is common.
 
From the standpoint of occupational health and safety, brickmaking is rife with hazards to physical health. These include: carrying and hauling heavy loads, heat stress, toxic chemicals from the fuels used to fire the kilns, and high levels of smoke, fumes and dusts. The latter may contain respirable crystalline silica (RCS) which not only contributes to potentially fatal silicosis but also other lung diseases including tuberculosis. In addition, there are also hazards to mental and emotional health, such as intimidation, abuse, and stress due to work insecurity, low pay, and generally poor working conditions. Risk of disease is exacerbated by living conditions which are often cramped, unhealthy and poorly ventilated. The health impacts associated with these hazards and conditions can be severe. 

On a larger scale, brick kilns are notorious for contributing to environmental pollution and reduced air quality to the extent that the health of the general population in the areas where they are located is affected.