Textile Industry Workers Research Articles

The occupational illness of slum dwellers across industries: A case study in West Bengal

Better livelihood of the slum dwellers necessitates analyzing the health status of the primary industrial earners upon whom the needs of the whole family rely. Studies concerned with the slum dwellers lack in addressing the occupational health of their primary earners who opt for various risky industrial occupations. The present study makes an empirical attempt in understanding the nature and extent of their occupational illness across the industries. The industries in the present study are categorized into four types, viz., civil and mechanical, textile, consumable items, and chemical. A multi-stage random sampling technique is used to collect the primary data from 320 industrial workers living in the slums of the Indian state West Bengal through face to face interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The determinants of the nature of occupational illness are analyzed with an ordered Logit model. The chronic illness like respiratory diseases are prevalent among the workers of jute textile industries, and musculoskeletal disorders are found mostly among the workers of small garment and consumable items industries. The prevalence of occupational injuries is common among the workers of the civil-mechanical and chemical industries. The difference in the Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure (OOPE) between doctor's consultation and consumption of Over the Counter (OTC) drugs of the industrial workers might prevent the workers from having a doctor's consultation in the long run. The provision and implementation of proper health scheme based on the exposure to health risks of the primary earners of slum household in the industries are suggested.

Prevalence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Textile Industry Workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background:Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common preventable cause of deafness. The degree of NIHL is determined by intensity, duration of exposure, spectral characteristics of the noise, and individual susceptibility. Industrial workers in both developed and developing countries are all at risk of suffering from NIHL.Methods:An industry-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, where sound intensity and hearing assessment were measured using a portable sound level meter and a portable audiometer, respectively. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 21.Findings:Out of 265 industrial workers who were recruited in this study, 161 (60.8%) were males and the predominant age group was 22 to 35 years (43%). The prevalence of NIHL was found to be 58.5%. Of 155 workers with NIHL, 101 (67.7%) were males. The most common age group was greater than 49 years. Of those with work experience from 5 to 10 years, only 38.5% had NIHL. The most common symptom was hearing loss, accounting for 24.9% of cases.Conclusion:The overall prevalence of NIHL was higher in textile industry workers. The prevalence was higher in males, older workers, and those who experienced prolonged exposure.

Respiratory Disorders Among Dust Exposed Workers

Exposure to dusts and hard physical work is common in developing industrialized countries. Acute and chronic respiratory illnesses are highly been reported from jute and textile industry. This study was undertaken to explore status of respiratory health among the workers of jute and textile industries. This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 315 workers from each of textile and jute industry of Eastern Nepal. Almost all the workers were selected from the textile industry whereas those from dust prone areas of jute industry. Workers were interviewed using pre-tested questionnaires. Measurement of height, weight and peak expiratory flow rate was done. Majority were non-smokers in both the industries 230 (73%) in Jute vs. 223 (70.8%) in Textile. Most of the workers had the working experience of less than five years; jute 134 (42.5%) vs. textile 180 (57.1%). Upper respiratory disorder was found in more than 1/5 of workers (68) in jute vs. 1/20 of workers (18) in textile industry. One and two workers suffered from chronic bronchitis in the jute and the textile industry respectively. Chest tightness was reported among 4 (1.3%) in jute vs. 17 (5.4%) in textile workers, cough symptoms among 86 (27.3%) in jute vs. 26 (8.3%) in textile industry. Low practice of personal protective measure was seen in both industries. The mean score of PEFR of workers in jute mill was lower than the workers in textile industry. Workers with acute respiratory disorders were more in the jute industry while chest tightness was more in the textile industry. Chronic respiratory problems did not appear to be alarming in both the industries. Use of personal protective measures should be promoted among the dust exposed workers.

Toxic effects of chronic exposure to dyes among workers of synthetic textile industries

Background: textile industry is one of the major industries in Egypt. However, the working environment is associated with potential health hazards. Aim of the work: to study the toxic effects of different types of dyes among workers in textile industries and its effect on their respiratory, renal, and immunological systems. Subjects and methods: this study was conducted on 50 male workers exposed to textile dyeing of different ages, selected from all textile plants with dyeing industry at Borg Al-Arab City compared with 50 males, who were not exposed to textile dye as a control group. Results: both groups were comparable as patient age, while smoking was significantly increased in exposed group (38.0% vs 14.0%). Reported symptoms such as itching, abdominal pain, etc. and respiratory symptoms were significantly increased in exposed group. There was significant increase of AST, ALT, total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, urea and serum creatinine in study when compared to control group. Furthermore, there was statistically significant decrease of respiratory function percentage of predicted in study group, and there was statistically significant increase of serum lead concentration in study when compared to the control group (17.18±2.35 vs 6.74±2.29 respectively). In addition, there was significant increase of IgM and IgG in study group. Conclusion: workers in textile industry were significantly exposed to health hazards especially on respiratory system. However, multi-organ affection is the role with increased oxidative stress.

Peer Educators as Change Leaders - Effectiveness of Peer Education Process in Creating Awareness on Reproductive Health among Women Workers in Textile Industry.

Context:India is one of the leading manufacturers of garments with roughly 80% of the workforce dominated by female migrant workers. Lack of education and access to resources in these women contribute to unsafe sexual behaviors, sometimes leading to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Awareness raising, and peer education in particular, is extremely effective in addressing reproductive health issues.Aims:This study aims to study the effectiveness of peer health education in improving the awareness on reproductive health among women workers in textile industries.Settings and Design:A health educational interventional study for women in garment and spinning mills using peer education process carried out over a period of 18 months.Subjects and Methods:The process includes orientation to factory management, health needs’ assessment, identifying health topics, peer educators’ selection, peer educator trainings followed by outreach sessions, and impact measurement. The impact of peer education on reproductive health has been assessed among 597 participants from 9 factories.Statistical Analysis Used:Data were entered in SPSS version 24 and analyzed. Results were expressed as percentages. Chi square test was used where appropriate to find association between categorical variables.Results:The mean age of the workers in both the groups is 25.4 (±9.6) years and 25.1 (±8.3) years. In both the groups, most of the workers were single and more than half of them reside within the factory premises. Significant change in menstrual hygiene practices, knowledge in family planning methods, STIs, and cervical cancer has been observed following peer health education.Conclusions:A well-designed health educational interventional program using peer educators could be a successful approach to create awareness on sensitive topics.

Toxic effects of chronic exposure to dyes among workers of synthetic textile industries

Toxic effects of chronic exposure to dyes among workers of synthetic textile industries

Mean Blood Lead Level in Iranian Workers: A Systematic and Meta-Analysis

Context: Exposure to lead is a global health issue. Several studies have demonstrated the harmful and irreparable effects of this heavy metal on human. Workers in lead-related industries are more exposed to lead than other people are. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the mean blood lead level (BLL) in Iranian workers through meta-analysis technique. Evidence Acquisition: The present study was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines for systematic review and meta-analysis studies. We searched national and international online databases such as Magiran, SID, Medlib, Iranmedex, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar search engine using Mesh keywords up to 2017. Heterogeneity among studies was check using Q test and I-2 index. Data pooled using random effects model. Results: In 31 studies including 2767 Iranian workers, the mean BLL was estimated to be 43.1 mu g/dl (95 CI Confidence Interval: 35.19-50.83). The lowest and highest BLL was estimated in the west of Iran (28.34 mu g/dl 95% CI: 17.31-39.37) and center of Iran (46.32 mu g/dl 95% CI: 36.73-55.91), respectively. Regarding job-specific BLL, the lowest and highest BLL was estimated in textile industry workers (12.33 mu g/dl 95% CI: 0-26.76) and lead-zinc mines workers (72.58 mu g/dl 95% CI: 26.06-119.10), respectively. Mean BLL based on province was studied and the lowest level was estimated in Isfahan province (29.79 mu g/dl 95% CI: 0-73.31) and the highest level was estimated in Markazi province (96.47 mu g/dl 95% CI: 88.61-104.33). The relationship between mean BLL in Iranian workers, year of study (P = 0.46) and mean work experience (P = 0.15) was not significant. Conclusions: Due to high BLL in Iranian workers in lead-related industries, it is necessary to increase frequent screening and protective activities and perform scheduled clinical and paraclinical examinations in workers.

Effect of Occupational Noise Exposure on Sleep among Workers of Textile Industry

Effect of Occupational Noise Exposure on Sleep among Workers of Textile Industry

Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis Criteria among Textile Workers with Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Effects of Having Atopic Dermatitis on Contact Antigenic Diversity.

Objectives:Contact dermatitis (CD) is a common skin disease. Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is the most frequently seen occupational skin disease and includes both occupational allergic CD (OACD) and occupational irritant CD (OICD). One of the most common sources of OACD is textile products. Individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) have an increased risk for development of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). However, the role of AD in the etiopathogenesis of the development of OACD among textile industry workers is not well known. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of AD among textile workers with OACD and to analyze contact antigenic diversity between the workers with and without AD.Methods:A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with 352 textile workers who had previously been diagnosed with OACD. The patients were questioned and examined with respect to AD criteria, demographic features, disease duration, duration of employment until first symptoms, phototype, workplace (subsectors), and location of lesions at control visits. Immediate skin test reactivity was evaluated with a commercial skin prick test panel. The data obtained and the patients’ previously recorded patch test results were compared in OACD groups with and without a diagnosis of AD. The results were statistically evaluated with a significance level of p value <0.05.Results:The study population consisted of 124 males and 227 females. The mean age was 35.69±13.65 years. The most commonly seen employment duration, phototype, subsector, and location were 4 to 8 months (26.14%), 9 to 12 months (34.66%), Fitzpatrick type-III (37.50%), dyeing (33.52%), and exclusively the hands (60.51%), respectively. In all, 193 patients (54.83%) met the criteria for the diagnosis of AD. In the OACD group with AD, there was a significant number with 4 major and 16 minor criteria, as well as positivity for 14 contact allergens.Conclusion:Most AD criteria, or a diagnosis of AD, are highly detectable among workers with textile-related OACD. The results for patch test allergens may be significantly higher than those of individuals without AD. Textile workers with AD should be warned about the possibility of the early development of OACD.

The Association between Risk Factors and Blood Pressure in the Textile Industry Workers

AbstractNoise exposure is often found in the industrial environment that exposed workers at risk for increasing blood pressure. This study aimed at investigating the association between noise level, duration of noise exposure, age, use of earplugs, and body mass index with blood pressure on textile industry workers. An observational study with the cross-sectional design conducted during August to October 2016. The study population was 180 textile industry workers in Surakarta selected by consecutive sampling method. Statistical analysis used was multiple logistic regression. Results showed that variables associated with systolic blood pressure were the use of earplugs (OR=12.7), noise level (OR=7.2), body mass index (OR=5.3), age (OR=4.4) and duration of noise exposure (OR=3.5). Variables associated with diastolic blood pressure were the use of earplugs (OR=6.9), age (OR=6.6), noise level (OR=6.1), body mass index (OR=4.4), and duration of noise exposure (OR=3.1). In clonclusion, the risk factors for blood pressure increased among industrial workers are the use of earplug, noise level, body mass index, age and duration of noise exposure.AbstrakPaparan kebisingan yang mengekspos pekerja sering ditemukan di lingkungan industri sehingga berisiko terjadi peningkatan tekanan darah. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui hubungan tingkat kebisingan, durasi paparan kebisingan, usia, penggunaan sumbat telinga, dan indeks massa tubuh dengan tekanan darah pada pekerja industri tekstil. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis observasional dengan desain cross-sectional yang dilakukan pada bulan Agustus–Oktober 2016. Populasi penelitian adalah pekerja industri tekstil di Surakarta. Terpilih 180 orang pekerja dengan menggunakan metode sampling konsekutif. Analisis statistik yang digunakan adalah regresi logistik berganda. Variabel yang berhubungan dengan tekanan darah sistole adalah penggunaan sumbat telinga (OR=12,7), tingkat kebisingan (OR=7,2), indeks massa tubuh (OR=5,3), usia (OR=4,4), dan durasi paparan kebisingan (OR=3,5). Variabel yang terkait dengan tekanan darah diastole adalah penggunaan sumbat telinga (OR=6,9), usia (OR=6,6), tingkat kebisingan (OR=6,1), indeks massa tubuh (OR=4,4), dan durasi paparan kebisingan (OR=3,1). Simpulan, faktor risiko peningkatan tekanan darah di kalangan pekerja industri tekstil adalah penggunaan sumbat telinga, tingkat kebisingan, indeks massa tubuh, usia dan durasi paparan kebisingan.

The Correlation of Individual Factors With Absenteeism among Textile Industry Workers in Surabaya (PT X) During 2013

Background : High absenteeism rate affect productivity.In turn, low productivity makes the company suffer loss. In Indonesia there are rarely researches on the issue although actually it needs much attention. Purpose : The aim of this research was to analyze the correlation between individual factors with absenteeism among workers of Ring Frame (Spinning I)PT. X in 2013. Methods : This was an observational descriptives research with cross sectional approach of absenteeism during 2013. The population were workers who experienced absent in 2013 (43 peoples). The variables were individual factor (age,sex, workers status,married status,work span, and education level) and the absenteeism rate such as GAR (Gross Absence Rate),ASR (Absence Severity Rate), AFR (Absence Frequency Rate), Day lost, Spells and the control measures. Results : The results showedthat the days lost were 130 days/years, with frequency absenteeism of 85 spells. The absenteeism rate were : GAR 0,3 % ; ASR 1,1 days and AFR 0,65 spells.GAR, ASR, and AFR were in the normal limit, the highest rate of day lost in category &lt; 3 days and the highest rate of spells in category 1-2 spells. The highest rate of case group found in : age group 25-35 years, women, persistent workers, married, has a work span of 5-14 years and the education level in senior high school. Conclusion : there were no significant correlation between individual factors and absenteeism.

Prevalence and determinants of respiratory problems among workers in El-Beheira Textile Companies

Textile industry workers are exposed to different hazards in the various sections of textile manufacturing. The major health problems associated with cotton dust are respiratory problems. Aims: this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and identify the determinants of respiratory health problems among textile workers in El–Beheira governorate. Design: A cross sectional descriptive study was adopted to carry out this study. The sample included 603 workers who were selected by proportional allocation technique from different departments and by systemic random sampling within the department. Data was collected using three tools (Textile companies' workers health profile, safety and health at work observational check list, Work place stress scale).Results: less than half (47.8%) of the workers had experience of 30 years or more (mean was 27.2 ± 6.6.). All workers reported that the personal protective equipment weren’t available. Moreover, all workers mentioned that there are no health education programs. The highest prevalence of respiratory problems found among spinning workers followed by dyeing workers, weaving workers, and polyester staple fiber. Conclusion, The significant prevalence and associated factors of respiratory problems should alert the factory, governmental and non-governmental organizations working on Occupational Health and Safety. Recommendations: Periodic inspection of working environment by industrial hygienist through regular measurement of cotton dust concentration.

Business’ response to workplace issues: A case of migrant workers in the Mauritian textile industry

This research has been instigated on the realisation that the general living and working conditions of migrant workers worldwide have been acclaimed to be precarious, yet recognised as a topic whic...

Textile industry and occupational cancer

Background and summaryThousands of workers are engaged in textile industry worldwide. Textile industry involves the use of different kinds of dyes which are known to possess carcinogenic properties. Solvents used in these industries are also associated with different health related hazards including cancer. In previous studies on textile and iron industries, the authors have reported genotoxicity among them and observed occurrence of cancer deaths among textile industry workers. Thus, an attempt has been made to compile the studies on the prevalence of different types of cancers among textile industry workers.Literature searchA wide literature search has been done for compiling the present paper. Papers on cancer occurrence among textile industry workers have been taken from 1976 to 2015. A variety of textile dyes and solvents, many of them being carcinogenic, are being used worldwide in the textile industry. The textile industry workers are therefore, in continuous exposure to these dyes, solvents, fibre dusts and various other toxic chemicals. The present study evaluates the potential of different chemicals and physical factors to be carcinogenic agents among occupationally exposed workers by going through various available reports and researches. Papers were collected using different databases and a number of studies report the association of textile industry and different types of cancer including lung, bladder, colorectal and breast cancer. After going through the available reports, it can be concluded that workers under varied job categories in textile industries are at a higher risk of developing cancer as various chemicals used in the textile industry are toxic and can act as potential health risk in inducing cancer among them. Assessing the cancer risk at different job levels in textile industries may be found useful in assessing the overall risk to the workers and formulating the future cancer preventive strategies.

A Study on Quality of Work Life Among Workers in Textile Industries in Rajasthan

The present study aims to study the Quality of Work Life of textile industries workers in Rajasthan. People are the common element in every organization, because without the support of people, machine remains idle and money tied up. Textile industries of Rajasthan are suffering from many problems. Poor Quality of Work Life may be a major cause for inefficient functioning of the textile industries in Rajasthan. A sample of 1200 workers has been used as subjects for the present study. The data has been collected from the workers of five textile industries in Rajasthan by questionnaire. The study is an attempt to assess the views of workers on Quality of Work Life, to investigate the satisfaction level of the workers about the existing and expected Quality of Work Life and to see the impact of work-related factors namely Working Environment, Welfare Measures, Safety Measures, Benefit Measures, Supervision, Participation in Decision-making and Communication and demographic factors like Gender, Age, Educational Status, Job Experience, Income and Family Size on Quality of Work Life of workers working in the textile industries in Rajasthan. The findings of the study revealed that the work-related factors have a significant impact on Quality of Work Life of workers. Demographic factors influence the existing Quality of Work Life of workers and the researcher found a significant gap between the existing and expected Quality of Work Life of workers working in the textile industries in Rajasthan.

Pain evaluation in workers of the textile industry

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, major workers' health problem is the set of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed at evaluating pain, its intensity and mostly affected anatomic region of textile industry workers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with qualitative and quantitative approach. A physiotherapeutic evaluation card and the visual analog scale were used to evaluate pain. A total of 26 workers were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the evaluation, it was possible to infer that 88% (n=23) individuals had some pain complaint. Pain intensity has varied from 2 to 8 with mean of 4.8±2.4. Region with more severe pain was shoulders (VAS=6.6), followed by lumbar and cervical region (VAS=6); the region with least intensity was wrist (VAS=5). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a large number of workers have occupational pain. Lumbar spine was the region with the highest incidence of complaints and highest pain intensity was referred on shoulders.

Occupational asthma in Hungary

Occupational asthma belongs to communicable diseases, which should be reported in Hungary. During a 24-year period between January 1990 and December 2013, 180 occupational asthma cases were reported in Hungary (52 cases between 1990 and 1995, 83 cases between 1996 and 2000, 40 cases between 2001 and 2006, and 5 cases between 2007 and 2013). These data are unusual, because according to the official report of the National Korányi Pulmonology Institute in Budapest, at least 14,000 new adult asthma cases were reported in every year between 2000 and 2012 in Hungary. Also, international data indicate that at least 2% of adult patients with asthma have occupational asthma and at least 50 out of 1 million employees develop occupational asthma in each year. In 2003, 631 new occupational asthma patients were reported in the United Kingdom, but only 7 cases in Hungary. Because it is unlikely that the occupational environment in Hungary is much better than anywhere else in the world, it seems that not all new occupational asthma cases are reported in Hungary. Of the 180 reported cases in Hungary, 55 were bakers or other workers in flour mills. There were 11 metal-workers, 10 health care assistants, 9 workers dealing with textiles (tailors, dressmakers, workers in textile industry) and 9 employees worked upon leather and animal fur. According to international data, the most unsafe profession is the animal keeper in scientific laboratories, but only 4 of them were reported as having occupational asthma during the studied 24 years in Hungary. Interestingly, 3 museologists with newly-diagnosed occupational asthma were reported in 2003, but not such cases occurred before or after that year. In this paper the Hungarian literature of occupational asthma is summarized, followed by a review on the classification, pathomechanism, clinical presentation, predisposing factors, diagnostics and therapeutic aspects of the disease. Epidemiological data of adult asthma in Hungary and data from international studies on the occurrence of occupational asthma are also presented. Finally, the author draws attention to the low reporting activity of occupational asthma in Hungary and discusses the possible causes why this communicable disease is rarely reported.

Differentially expressed plasma protein fractions in workers of dyeing unit at a textile industry and comparable controls

Workers of textile industry are exposed to different hazardous chemicals that cause adverse effects on their health. As variations in plasma proteins are the best indicators of health status of the subjects, hence, we compared plasma protein fractions, resolved by SDS-PAGE of textile dyeing industry workers (n=30) with control subjects (n=30). Proteins were quantified by Total Lab Quant software and analyzed, statistically, by Student t-test. Thirteen protein fractions were detected ranging 250-17kDa. A significant increase in 132 and 53kDa fractions, whereas, a significant decrement in 87 and 66kDa fractions with a highly significant reduction in 112kDa fraction was observed. However, 250, 224, 43, 23, 19 and 17kDa protein fractions did not vary considerably. As some proteins circulate only during particular physiological or pathological circumstances and may serve as biomarkers of anomalies, the altered expressions of these biomolecules observed in textile dyeing industry workers may be strong predictors of different ailments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v49i2.22002 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 49(2), 89-94, 2014

The Critical Exposure of Lesotho’s Labor Law Effectiveness: Industrial Relations’ Calamity of Textile Industry Workers in Lesotho

This article provides insights on tribulations of Lesotho textile industry workers and effectiveness-extent of national labor law in shielding labor rights. It is a qualitative and quantitative research premised on textile industrial areas of Thetsane and Railway Station area in Maseru city, Labor offices and workers/trade unions. It illuminates the prescriptions of the Labor Law in Lesotho pertaining to the textile industries and inquires whether such Labor Law is not nominally applied in protecting textile factory workers’ rights. It examines workers’ organizational capacity and bargaining, role of workers’ trade unions in addressing workers’ concerns and maintenance of labor law. Elucidation embraces efficacy of legal resolutions procedure followed whenever there are disputes between workers and management, reported by either the individual workers or workers’ trade unions/TUs. Outlook of the workers to examine their content concerning services rendered to them by labor offices forms part of this researched debated in-depth interviews. Dictates of the Law towards lowly esteemed workers and the extent to which their rights as workers in Lesotho are protected by the government mold chief innards. Findings reflect on benefits ought to be derived from this industrial sector but which are inconspicuous, thereby ensuing in destitution of workers whose majority are women with significant dependency ratios. Labor downsizing, layoffs, unfair dismissals, salary cuts and/or delayed labor earnings, toiling beyond normal working hours, chronic lung diseases from inhaled harmful chemicals, labor devalourization, vulnerability and others constitute quandary of Lesotho textile industry workers. The research question is, then, how far does the law work for them through pro-active and reactive (remedial) strategies for their emancipation, protection and recompense/welfare?

Road accidents with motorcycles among workers of a textile industry

Objetivo: Identificar o perfil das vítimas de acidentes de trajetos com envolvimentos de motocicletas entre trabalhadores de uma indústria têxtil do Rio Grande do Norte. Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo, com dados coletados nos prontuários e registros da própria indústria no período de 2008 a 2009. Resultados: 81 casos de acidentes com trabalhadores envolvendo motocicletas. Destes, 62% eram do sexo masculino, com maior incidência entre 22 e 25 anos; 69% necessitaram de afastamento igual ou inferior a 15 dias; quando o afastamento foi superior a 15 dias, a média foi de 274,3 dias; 71% sofreram lesões em membros inferiores e superiores. Conclusão: O reconhecimento dessas características é útil para subsidiar estratégias de prevenção dos acidentes de motos e o aprimoramento do serviço de referência em emergência.