Abstract
Textile chemicals such as dyes, printing pigments, additives, oxidising agents and reducing agents can be very injurious to the body and the environment if not properly used. The prime focus of this study is to promote and maintain a safe and healthy environment by ensuring the highest level of environmental health and safety assistance for small scale textile dyers and chemical suppliers within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area of Ghana. Case Study, a descriptive research approach is used because data came mainly from archives, library and by direct observation of textile production practices at the small-scale level. The population for the study involved batik producers, tie-dye producers, screen printers and textile chemical suppliers and dealers. Interviews and observations were used in soliciting relevant data. Data collected was analysed and presented. The study suggests appropriate ways of working with dyes and other chemicals for dyeing. It also simplified information on the available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the understanding of the textile producers. This was tailored towards improving communication with the small-scale textile producers who collectively constitute a big percentage of textile producers in Ghana.
Highlights
Small-scale textile production engages about 320 people in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis [1]
Some examples of chemicals and additives used are soda ash, sodium hydrosulphite, sodium hydroxide, salt, hydrogen peroxide, sulphuric acid and paraffin wax. [2] [3] [4] contend that there are a number of health and environmental hazards that are associated with the usage of the dyes and their auxiliary chemicals
It has been established that the most prevalent health problems associated with dyeing and finishing processes arise from exposure to chemicals acting as irritants
Summary
Small-scale textile production engages about 320 people in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis [1]. Textile products in the sector range from batik, tie-dye, tritik, plangi, ikat, screen printing; they include sales of fabrics, dyes and textile. A very significant quantity of dyes and chemicals are used within the industry. Examples of dyes used are vat, reactive, disperse, natural dyes and printing pigments. [2] [3] [4] contend that there are a number of health and environmental hazards that are associated with the usage of the dyes and their auxiliary chemicals. The hazards include the exposure of the chemicals during the processing and dyeing of textile materials which affects the throat and lungs, and leads to muscle skeletal stresses
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