Health Of Workers In The Cotton Industry Of Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Un-hygienic conditions and lack of protective measures (masks, ear plugs, first aid box etc.) contribute to eye-problems, cough, headache and other health problems in weaving industries. Various mechanical and chemical processes are employed in textile industries, resulting in different acute and chronic environmental and health problems. For nearly 300 years, work in textile industry has been recognized as hazardous. Continuous exposure to cotton dust is associated with progressive impairment of pulmonary function and with respiratory tract symptoms. By far the most important respiratory disease in that industry is byssinosis. Methods: A representative sample of 800 workers in the Punjab cotton industries were studied by questionnaire and clinical examination. In a sub-sample of these workers and in an unexposed comparison group spirometry (161 male workers) was performed and samples of exfoliated buccal cells (102 persons) were obtained to check for nuclear anomalies indicative of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The health data were complemented by industrial hygiene data: concentrations of inhalable dust were exceptionally high at some sites. Dust samples were collected and analyzed for endotoxins. Ergonomic and working conditions (noise, accident hazards, etc.) were recorded by applying a standardized form. Results: After controlling for age lung function values declined significantly with duration of exposure and reported symptoms rates increased. Cytotoxic markers were significantly high in buccal cells of exposed workers and genotoxic markers increased significantly with years of occupational exposure. Dust levels were highest in smaller factories producing for the local market. Conclusion: Occupational health and safety are still burning issues in developing countries. Poor industrial hygiene and poor health could be documented in the cotton industry, which is an important sector of the Pakistani economy.