Respiratory Morbidities among Workers Employed in Cotton Industries in Surendranagar City

ABSTRACT

Introduction:According to a publication in 1986by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Pneumoconiosis and Smoking, workers in cotton processing industries have the risk of developing obstructive respiratory conditions such as Bysinosis and Occupational Asthma, due to prolonged exposure to inhalable cotton dust particles, bracts and pericarps as well as to bacteria and fungi that may grow on cotton products. Objectives:To identify the presence of Respiratory symptoms among those exposed to cotton dust and To associate the findings with the duration of exposure of cotton dust. Methods:The study carried out was cross sectional and in 3 cotton industries in Surendranagar city. A total of 144 workers who consented for the study were selected and were interviewed and examined for respiratory signs. Results:Nearly 78% of the subjects had respiratory complaints. Most of the workers had had a more than 10 year exposure to cotton dust. Majority of symptoms were dyspnoea and expectorations. Nearly 95% of the subjects had the habit of consumption of smokeless tobacco. Conclusion:It can be concluded from the study, that the risk factors for Respiratory diseases are highly prevalent among workers employed in industrial set ups involving respirable dusts. More than 80% of the workers had 10 yrs or more years of exposure to cotton dust and the association of the exposure with the respiratory problems was proved statistically significant.