Pulmonary function impairment and lung infections among tannery workers in Southern India

Panjakumar Karunamoorthy

doi:10.17485/ijst/v14i4.1869

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Tannery workers are prone to lung diseases due tohazardous operational conditions. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the respiratory morbidities and lung infections among tanneryworkers. Methods: This study included 110 tannery workers (83 male and 27 female). Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) was carried out among 53 workers. Direct microscopic examination and standard microbial culture were carried out to identify lung infections from clinical samples. Statistical analyses were carried using the SPSS software, version 26. Findings: Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) revealed severe restrictive, moderate restrictive and small airway obstruction among 16.9%, 18.9% and 11.3% of workers respectively. PPE usage was reported among 68% of the workers. Only 3.6% of the subjects reported being used face masks during work. The respiratory symptoms viz; cold & cough (44.5%), asthma (2.7%), wheezing (14.5%), shortness of breath (17.3%) and chronic bronchitis (3.6%) were noted among study subjects. A significant association was found between altered PFT values and the risk factors such as working sections and lack of PPE usage (p<0.05). Bacterial lung infections viz; Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and fungal infections viz; Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were identified. Confounding factors of working sections and lack of PPE usage found to influence the PFT parameters. Applications: The study highlights the constant infectious hazards at the workplace. Frequent health monitoring, workplace monitoring, engineering controls and PPE use are mandate to curtail respiratory morbidity among tannery workers Keywords: Tannery workers; occupational lung disorder; Pulmonary function test; lung infections

Highlights

Occupational lung diseases are an under-recognition, under-reported in developing countries[1]
The usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was reported by 68% of workers, whereas 32% of the workers did not use any kind of PPE
3.6% of the subjects reported being used face masks while work, tobacco chewing habit observed among 8.1% subjects and smoking habits observed among 22.7% subjects alcoholic addiction observed among 35.4% subjects

Summary

Introduction

Occupational lung diseases are an under-recognition, under-reported in developing countries[1]. Respiratory diseases are lifethreatening health problems to the workers, most are work-related. The working environment contributes to a high burden of respiratory morbidity in lower and middle-income countries [3]. Tannery industries are well-known potential hazard to the environment as well as to the working population in this sector. The health conditions of tannery employees are adversely affected by the working environment [4]. Fungal and bacterial colonies grown on leather and on the liquors in tannery industry pose an infectious hazard to the tanners[5]. The intensive use of chemicals, manual processes, wet-humid environment and machinery operations in tannery industries pose an occupational hazard to the workers engaged in these environments if failed to adopt appropriate personal protective equipment(PPE) and other safety measures[6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion