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Journal of Occupational Health Jan 2024The purpose of this study was to present a systematic review of the health-related problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry. These workers endure...
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to present a systematic review of the health-related problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry. These workers endure long sitting postures, poor workspace conditions, and long working hours to complete their overload of tasks. This situation results in several health problems that affect the productivity, mental health, and well-being of the workers.
METHODS
The relevant data (21 article publications) were obtained from the Scopus database. Analysis of the 21 articles was grouped under 3 research themes based on the critical reading of the content and abstracts: respiratory problems, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological stressors and other health issues.
RESULTS
The findings show that factory workers are exposed to dust particles of cotton and other raw materials, fumes, and chemicals from manufacturing processes. This prolonged exposure without the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) leads to respiratory diseases like byssinosis that affect the workers' health. Additionally, working in a particular posture due to the workstation design for prolonged hours causes musculoskeletal disorders or pains. Workers also suffer from anxiety, depression, and stress from workload and pressure, hence making them unstable with reduced productivity.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the study reinforce the need for a safe workspace and spacious work environment, provision of PPE, training in occupational hazards, frequent health checks, and ergonomic assessment of workstations to reduce prolonged work postures. Stakeholders, employers, policymakers, and governments should collaborate to safeguard and protect the well-being and health of the workers at these factories.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Diseases; Byssinosis; Textiles; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Textile Industry
PubMed: 38289711
DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae007 -
The Journal of the Egyptian Public... Jan 2024Exposure to dust in textile mills adversely affects workers' health. We collected epidemiological data on textile workers suffering from respiratory diseases and...
BACKGROUND
Exposure to dust in textile mills adversely affects workers' health. We collected epidemiological data on textile workers suffering from respiratory diseases and assessed work absence associated with illnesses in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
METHODS
We recruited 206 workers using multistage sampling from 11 spinning mills in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The data were collected using 2-week health diaries and face-to-face interviews. The data pertains to socio-demographics, occupational exposures, the state of the workers' health, and other attributes. A theoretical framework of the health production function was used to estimate the relationship between cotton dust exposure and respiratory illnesses. We also estimated functional limitations (e.g., work absence) associated with dust exposure. STATA 12 was used to calculate descriptive statistics, an ordered probit for byssinosis, a probit model for chronic cough, and three complementary log-log models for blood phlegm, bronchitis, and asthma to measure dose-response functions. A Tobit model was used to measure the sickness absence function.
RESULTS
We found that cotton dust exposure causes a significant health burden to workers, such as cough (35%), bronchitis (17%), and different grades of byssinosis symptoms (22%). The regression analysis showed that smoking cigarettes and working in dusty sections were the main determinants of respiratory diseases. Dusty work sections also cause illness-related work absences. However, the probability of work absence decreases with the increased use of face masks.
CONCLUSION
The study's findings imply the significance of promoting occupational safety and health culture through training and awareness among workers or implementing the use of safety gadgets. Promulgating appropriate dust standards in textile mills is also a need of the hour.
PubMed: 38282165
DOI: 10.1186/s42506-024-00150-2 -
Journal of Public Health in Africa Oct 2023Occupational exposure to cotton dust is still an important cause of respiratory problems in textile workers particularly in less developed countries like Egypt. Evaluate...
Occupational exposure to cotton dust is still an important cause of respiratory problems in textile workers particularly in less developed countries like Egypt. Evaluate respiratory symptoms and diseases, and pulmonary function pattern among Egyptian textile workers. Cross sectional comparative study was conducted from December 2019 to September 2020 in a textile factory in Egypt; 364 male workers (184 cotton dust exposed workers, and 180 unexposed workers) were included. Participants were subjected to an interviewing questionnaire, British Medical Research Council questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function tests, and byssinosis grading format. Descriptive and analytic statistics were conducted. Chronic cough, phlegm production, and shortness of breath grade I, II and III were more reported in cotton dust exposed workers than unexposed workers (P#x003C;0.01, P#x003C;0.01, and P=0.02, respectively). Prevalence of chronic bronchitis was significantly higher among cotton dust exposed workers (12%) than unexposed workers (3.9%) (P#x003C;0.01). The mean percent predicted values of lung function indices reflecting large-1irway function (VC, FVC, FEV, FEV%, PEFR, and FEF) were significantly lower in cotton dust exposed workers (P#x003C;0.01). Prevalence of byssinosis was 22.8%. Workers with byssinosis had significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, cross-shift reduction in PEFR and significant decrease in mean percent predicted values of FVC, FEV, PEFR, FEF, and FEF than workers without byssinosis. This study revealed a substantial association between cotton dust exposure at work and respiratory symptoms and morbidity. Regular measurement of cross shift change in PEFR is recommended among exposed workers for early diagnosis of byssinosis.
PubMed: 38020280
DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2741 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... May 2023Metal fume fever is a well-known occupational disease that arises from prolonged exposure to subtoxic levels of zinc oxide-containing fumes or dust. This review article... (Review)
Review
Metal fume fever is a well-known occupational disease that arises from prolonged exposure to subtoxic levels of zinc oxide-containing fumes or dust. This review article aims to identify and examine the possible immunotoxicological effects of inhaled zinc oxide nanoparticles. The current most widely accepted pathomechanism for the development of the disease involves the formation of reactive oxygen species following the entry of zinc oxide particles into the alveolus resulting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activation of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B transcriptional signal, thus evoking the symptoms. The role of metallothionein in inducing tolerance is believed to be a key factor in mitigating the development of metal fume fever. The other, poorly proven hypothetical route is that zinc-oxide particles bind to an undefined protein in the body as haptens to form an antigen and act as an allergen. After activation of the immune system, primary antibodies and immune complexes are developed and type 1. hypersensitivity reaction occurs, that can cause asthmatic dyspnoea, urticaria and angioedema. The development of tolerance is explained by the formation of secondary antibodies against primary antibodies. Oxidative stress and immunological processes cannot be completely separated from each other, as they can induce each other.
Topics: Humans; Zinc Oxide; Welding; Lung; Byssinosis; Inhalation Exposure; Air Pollutants, Occupational
PubMed: 36907501
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113722 -
Journal of Ayub Medical College,... 2023Cotton dust is generated during various textile manufacturing processes. Only a few studies from Pakistan assessed cotton dust exposure and explored the relationship of...
BACKGROUND
Cotton dust is generated during various textile manufacturing processes. Only a few studies from Pakistan assessed cotton dust exposure and explored the relationship of duration of work in the textile industry with respiratory health outcomes. We aimed to assess cotton dust exposure and its association with lung function and respiratory symptoms among textile workers in Pakistan.
METHODS
We report findings from the baseline survey of the larger study, MultiTex, among 498 adult male textile workers from six mills conducted between October 2015-March 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan. Data collection included the use of standardized questionnaires; spirometry, and area dust measurements through UCB-PATS. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were developed to assess the association of risk factors with respiratory symptoms and illnesses.
RESULTS
We found the mean age of workers to be 32.5 (±10) years; around 25% were illiterate. The prevalence of COPD, asthma, and byssinosis was 10%, 17%, and 2%, respectively. The median cotton dust exposure was 0.33 mg/m3 (IQR: 0.12-0.76). Increased duration of work among non-smokers was associated with a decline in lung function, FVC (-245 ml; 95% CI: -385.71, -104.89) and FEV1 (-200 ml; 95% CI: -328.71, -841.1). Workers with certain job titles (machine operators, helpers, and jobbers), those with greater duration of work, and higher dust exposure, were more likely to report respiratory symptoms and illnesses.
CONCLUSIONS
We report a high prevalence of asthma and COPD and a low prevalence of byssinosis. Cotton dust exposure and duration of employment were associated with respiratory health outcomes. Our findings highlight the need for preventive interventions in the textile industry in Pakistan.
Topics: Adult; Male; Humans; Young Adult; Dust; Byssinosis; Textiles; Asthma; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 36849387
DOI: 10.55519/JAMC-01-10901 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Mar 2023To assess the association of exposure in cotton mills in Karachi with different definitions of byssinosis and lung health.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the association of exposure in cotton mills in Karachi with different definitions of byssinosis and lung health.
METHODS
This cross-sectional survey took place between June 2019 and October 2020 among 2031 workers across 38 spinning and weaving mills in Karachi. Data collection involved questionnaire-based interviews, spirometry and measurements of personal exposure to inhalable dust. Byssinosis was defined using both WHO symptoms-based (work-related chest tightness), and Schilling's criteria (symptoms with decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV). Values of FEV/forced vital capacity ratio below the lower limit of normality on postbronchodilator test were considered as 'chronic airflow obstruction' (CAO).
RESULTS
56% of participants had at least one respiratory symptom, while 43% had shortness of breath (grade 1). Prevalence of byssinosis according to WHO criteria was 3%, it was 4% according to Schilling's criteria, and likewise for CAO. We found low inhalable dust exposures (geometric mean: 610 µg/m). Cigarette smoking (≥3.5 pack-years), increasing duration of employment in the textile industry and work in the spinning section were important factors found to be associated with several respiratory outcomes.
CONCLUSION
We found a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms but a low prevalence of byssinosis. Most respiratory outcomes were associated with duration of employment in textile industry. We have discussed the challenges faced in using current, standard guidelines for identifying byssinosis.
Topics: Humans; Byssinosis; Pakistan; Cross-Sectional Studies; Occupational Exposure; Lung; Dust; Textiles; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Textile Industry
PubMed: 36717255
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108533 -
Bioinformation 2022Byssinosis is a disabling occupational lung disease caused by cotton dust. It is a well-known occupational respiratory disease in cotton industry workers caused by...
Byssinosis is a disabling occupational lung disease caused by cotton dust. It is a well-known occupational respiratory disease in cotton industry workers caused by cotton dust pollution. Many studies have been documented the effects of cotton dust on pulmonary function among workers employed in cotton-spinning mills. However, little data exist on the prevalence of this disorder in female workers particularly in western part of India. The present study was conducted to analyze the effects of exposure to cotton dust on pulmonary functions among female workers. The study was designed to assess the effects of exposure to cotton dust on lung functions among female cotton industry workers. Study group comprises 50 Female workers of cotton industry and control group comprises 50 age matched females who were neither worked in cotton industry nor exposed to cotton dust. Information was collected using standardized questionnaires, physical examination and spirometric measurements. Student's T test was used to find the difference between spirometric parameters. All the respiratory parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF 25-75 % PEFR and MVV) were reduced in cotton industry workers as compared with control subjects (p<0.0001) and no significant difference of SpO2 between groups. Cotton dust exposure makes huge impact on respiratory parameters of the cotton industry workers. This deterioration in respiratory health deteriorates with increasing duration of exposure. The health hazards caused by cotton dust should be controlled by creating awareness among the workers & employers.
PubMed: 36518136
DOI: 10.6026/97320630018255 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2022Metal fumes fever (MFF) is an inflammatory condition, whose mechanism is yet unclear, associated with the inhalation of metal fumes, particularly zinc. In this study we...
Metal fumes fever (MFF) is an inflammatory condition, whose mechanism is yet unclear, associated with the inhalation of metal fumes, particularly zinc. In this study we investigate experimentally the hypothesis of a two-step mechanism of MFF onset: (1) the photocatalytic production of airborne hydrogen peroxide (HO) via ZnO and (2) the production of hydroxyl radicals (HOׄ) through Fenton reaction via magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles. Photocatalysis and Fenton reaction products were measured using a multiscattering-enhanced absorbance device and assessing the degradation of bromophenol blue with microplate photometry, respectively. We observed that in the presence of UV, ZnO produces 3 to 4-times more HO than UV alone or that non-UV irradiated ZnO. In the presence of biologically-relevant ligands, we also measured a Fenton reaction at physiological pH with either Fe(II), Fe(III) or FeO nanoparticles. Our results support the hypothesis of a two-step mechanism of MFF onset, in which the prior presence of Fe in the lungs exacerbates the oxidative stress, triggered by the photocatalysis of ZnO, a situation that could occurs when welding galvanized steel. More broadly, this raises the question of the role of the Fenton mechanism in respiratory exposure to metal particles and its possible contribution to other lung diseases.
Topics: Bromphenol Blue; Byssinosis; Ferric Compounds; Ferrosoferric Oxide; Hydrogen Peroxide; Nanoparticles; Steel; Zinc; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 36123527
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19956-1 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022Acute respiratory illness caused by exposure to welding-associated zinc oxide fumes is known as metal fume fever (MFF). MFF is generally characterized as a self-limiting...
Acute respiratory illness caused by exposure to welding-associated zinc oxide fumes is known as metal fume fever (MFF). MFF is generally characterized as a self-limiting disease. Few studies have reported chemical pneumonitis associated with zinc fume inhalation. We report a case study involving severe episodes of MFF accompanied by chemical pneumonitis due to the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes while operating an arc welder. A 54-year-old man developed flu-like symptoms after arc welding galvanized steel in a poorly ventilated area. Despite intravenous antibiotics therapy, his clinical course worsened, and his urine zinc concentration was remarkably elevated (3579 μg/24 h; reference range, 0-616 μg/24 h). A chest computed tomography revealed extensive consolidation, ground-glass opacity in the lungs, and right pleural effusion. After corticosteroid treatment, the patient's symptoms and radiologic findings significantly improved. It should be noted that the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes can occasionally induce acute lung injury via inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.
Topics: Air Pollutants, Occupational; Bronchitis; Byssinosis; Gases; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Metal Workers; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Welding; Zinc; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 35805612
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137954