The Cotton Dust-Related Allergic Asthma: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Textile Workers in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cotton dust-related allergic asthma and associated factors among textile workers in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 1082 workers in two textile garment companies using the asthma diagnostic criteria of the GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) 2016 guidelines. Results: Among study participants, 11.9% had suspected asthma symptoms, 7.4% were diagnosed with asthma, and 4.3% (3.6% in men and 4.5% in women) were diagnosed with cotton dust-related allergic asthma. Overweight, seniority more than 10 years, history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, family history of allergy, and exposure to cotton dust from more than one hour per day in the working environment were found to be important predictors of cotton dust-related allergic asthma among textile workers. Conclusions: Textile workers in two companies in Nam Dinh, Vietnam had a high prevalence of dust-related allergic asthma compared to estimates from the general population. There is a need to design appropriate measures of prevention, screening, and care for dust-related asthma in the textile industry. Further evaluation with better exposure assessment is necessary.

Expression of epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin among Indian workers exposed to cotton fibre dust in textile industries

Background: In India, around 20 million workers are engaged in the textile industries. However, the prevalence of byssinosis has been little reported. Aims: To determine the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory disorders among workers exposed to cotton dust in textile mills in Delhi, India. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 156 workers employed in 15 cotton textile mills, and expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin (CK) marker proteins was investigated. Information regarding respiratory symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history was also gathered. Results: Symptoms were observed in 56.41% of the workers. Expression of EMA and CK was observed in 27.5% and 50% of the workers, respectively. Expression of EMA and CK was significantly associated with smoking and duration of employment. Conclusion: Measures are needed to reduce dust levels in the workplace, and to discourage smoking and alcohol consumption among the textile workers.

PERBEDAAN KAPASITAS KERJA FISIK PEKERJA NON PRODUKSI, WEAVING, DAN SPINNING PABRIK TEKSTIL BANDUNG

Workers of PT. Grandtex is divided into three different divisions; nonproduction division, weaving division, and spinning division. These workers have different activities, job processes, and work environments, especially in the cotton dust exposure rate. Exposure to cotton dust can influence physical working capacity. This study aimed to find out physical working capacity differences between workers of nonproduction division, weaving division, and spinning division. A comparative analytic survey study is conducted on 112 subjects, which consists of 32 nonproduction division workers, 40 weaving division workers, and 40 spinning division workers. Subjects are picked by the stratified random sampling method. Physical working capacity measured by using an anaerobic capacity parameter (V̇O2 max)with the Astrand-Rhyming chair test. The homogeneity of the result is tested by the Levene test and the normality is tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnov. To find out the differences, those data are analyzed by one-way ANOVA test (p<0,05) and followed by Duncan test to measure how big the differences are. The result of data analyzed with ANOVA indicated that there is a significant difference in physical working capacity (V̇O2 max)(p=0,000) among workers of nonproduction, weaving, and spinning division. This result was also followed by Duncan’s test suggesting thatthe physical working capacity (V̇O2 max) of nonproduction workers are bigger than weaving production workers and also bigger than spinning workers (35,78 ± 7,27 vs 31,50 ± 7,59 vs 28,03 ± 5,92 ml/kg BW/minute). From this study, we can conclude that the physical working capacity (V̇O2 max) of nonproduction workers is better than weaving and spinning division workers.

Scoping Review: Efek Debu Kapas terhadap Nilai Fungsi Paru pada Pekerja Tekstil

Paparan debu kapas yang terus-menerus di tempat kerja dapat menimbulkan gangguan kesehatan pernapasan seorang pekerja, terutama pekerja tekstil. Hal ini terjadi karena debu kapas merupakan campuran kompleks dari beberapa komponen yang dapat memicu reaksi dalam tubuh manusia, seperti respons alergi atau proses lain yang tidak dapat dipahami sepenuhnya. Tujuan scoping review ini adalah menganalisis efek debu kapas terhadap nilai fungsi paru pada pekerja tekstil. Penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan metode scoping review berupa pencarian data beberapa artikel. Sampel berasal dari jurnal internasional yang berkaitan dengan efek debu kapas terhadap nilai fungsi paru pada pekerja tekstil. Database yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah Pubmed, Science Direct, Proquest, dan EBSCO dengan jumlah artikel yang didapat sebanyak 1.436 artikel. Hasil skrining dan uji kelayakan sebanyak 15 artikel. Hasil scoping review menunjukkan bahwa dari 15 artikel, sebagian besar penelitian menyatakan pekerja yang terpapar debu kapas mengalami penurunan nilai fungsi paru yang diukur setelah shift kerja dan memiliki nilai fungsi paru yang lebih rendah dibanding dengan kelompok kontrol. Sebagian besar artikel menyatakan parameter fungsi paru yang dipengaruhi oleh debu kapas adalah VEP1 dan berupa pola gangguan napas obstruktif. Berdasar atas kajian pada keseluruhan artikel, paparan debu kapas dapat menurunkan nilai fungsi paru pada pekerja tekstil. Scoping Review: the Effect of Dust on the Cotton Textile Workers Lung FunctionContinued exposure to cotton dust in the workplace can cause respiratory health problems for workers, especially textile workers. This occurs due to cotton dust is a complex mixture of several components that can trigger reactions in the human body, such as an allergic response or other processes that cannot be fully understood. The aim of this scoping review is to analyze the effect of cotton dust on value of pulmonary function in textile workers. This research was conducted using a scoping review method in the form of searching data from several articles. Samples come from international journals related to the effect of cotton dust on the value of lung function in textile workers. The databases used in this study were Pubmed, Science Direct, Proquest, and EBSCO, with a total of 1,436 articles. Screening results on articles and articles that passed the eligibility test were 15 articles. The results of the scoping review show that of the 15 articles, most of the studies stated that workers who were exposed to cotton dust had decreased lung function values measured after work shift and had lower lung function values than the control group. Most of the studies stated that the lung function parameter affected by cotton dust was FEV1 and most of the studies also mentioned that exposed workers experienced an obstructive pattern. Based on the study of the entire article, cotton dust exposure can reduce the value of lung function in textile workers.

Application of water treatment sludge for obtaining fertile soil

The properties of soil obtained from the sludge of water treatment plants were investigated. A new recipe for obtaining soil from peat, river sand and sludge dehydrated with cotton dust was developed. The obtained soil is well structured, resistant to unfavourable mechanical and physical-chemical impacts. It is recommended for creating lawns, planting sports grounds, squares and road slopes. It can be used for filling landfills of solid municipal waste, for strengthening river banks and reservoirs, for soil protection, as well as for production of fertile soils in horticultural and urban farms, when growing vegetables, berries and flowers in greenhouses. The studied soil expands the range of plant nutrient mixtures, is based on the use of available raw materials, and is not difficult to prepare.

Spirometric Assessment of Lung Function in Garment Workers in Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Exports of textiles and garments are the principal source of foreign exchange earnings in Bangladesh. Exports of textiles, clothing, and ready-made garments (RMG) account for 85% of Bangladesh’s total merchandise exports and provide employment to around 5 million workers. Workers of garment factories are susceptible to various respiratory morbid conditions, by virtue of workplace and working conditions and are at risk of suffering from various chronic respiratory illnesses. Early studies in textile workers throughout the world have focused on the relationship between hemp or cotton dust exposure and the development of a syndrome termed Byssinosis. Even though quite a few studies have been conducted in among garment workers in Bangladesh enough emphasis has not been given on the epidemiological aspects of chronic respiratory illnesses affecting pulmonary functions among the workers in these mills. Objective: The purpose of the study is to observe pulmonary function among garment workers in Bangladesh and compare it with unexposed population. Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted at cotton mill in Gazipur, Dhaka,Bangladesh. A control group was taken from BSMMU for the purpose of comparison. A modified questionnaire was used to inquire about socio demographic characteristics, socioeconomic history, complete occupational history, potential confounding factors, physical parameters and spirometry was done among workers. Results: There was significant association of pulmonary function FEV1, FVC, PEF with cotton dust exposure and a significant reduction of both FEV1 predicted 2.92±0.38 and observed 2.47±0.67 p<0.001 (paired t test) and PEF predicted 7.3%±1.10, observed 5.34±1.67, p<.001 (paired t test) was found among garment workers in comparison to non-exposed population group. Also female workers are more affected than male workers. No significant association of pulmonary function was found with the duration of exposure and distribution. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a significant association of pulmonary function in both long term and short term cotton exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed control group. There is a significant association of pulmonary function parameters (FEV1 and PEF) among female workers. It is justified to tell that cotton dust exposure has an effect on pulmonary function impairment. Keywords: Cotton dust, Garment workers, Pulmonary Function

MultiTex RCT – a multifaceted intervention package for protection against cotton dust exposure among textile workers – a cluster randomized controlled trial in Pakistan: study protocol

Background In the Pakistani textile industry the prevalence of workplace respiratory illnesses, including byssinosis, is high. The MultiTex RCT study aims to determine the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention package in reducing dust levels in cotton mills, decreasing the frequency of respiratory symptoms among cotton textile workers, and improving their lung function. Methods/design We will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial at 28 textile mills in Karachi. The intervention will comprise: training in occupational health for all workers and managers reinforced by regular refresher sessions; the formation of workplace committees to draw up, agree and promote a health and safety plan that includes wet mopping, safe disposal of cotton dust, and the use of simple face-masks, as well as further publicity about the risks from cotton dust; and provision of adequate supplies of face-masks to support the health and safety plan. Participating mills will be randomized to intervention and control arms following a baseline survey. The impact of the intervention will be determined through follow-up surveys conducted at 3, 12 and 18 months. Data collection in the surveys will include spirometry, questionnaire-based interviews and cotton-dust measurements. Discussion If successful, the study may pave the way for simple, low-cost interventions that can help reduce cotton-dust levels in textile mills, and improve the respiratory health of textile workers in developing countries such as Pakistan. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03738202. Registered on 12 November 2018.