NM, E., R, S., H, E., EA, K., A, A. (2022). OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE OF TEXTILE DYEING WORKERS. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 46(2), 1-20. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2022.237264
El-Hadidy NM; Sehsah R; Eldegla H; Kamel EA; Al-Wehedy A. "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE OF TEXTILE DYEING WORKERS". Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 46, 2, 2022, 1-20. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2022.237264
NM, E., R, S., H, E., EA, K., A, A. (2022). 'OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE OF TEXTILE DYEING WORKERS', Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 46(2), pp. 1-20. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2022.237264
NM, E., R, S., H, E., EA, K., A, A. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE OF TEXTILE DYEING WORKERS. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 2022; 46(2): 1-20. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2022.237264
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE OF TEXTILE DYEING WORKERS
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
2Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
3Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Abstract
Introduction: Workers in textile dyeing units are daily exposed to various chemical, physical, and mechanical occupational hazards that can significantly affect their health. Aim of Work: The current study aimed to identify workplace health, safety, and environmental hazards occurring in dyeing units of textile factories in Dakahlia, Egypt, and associated changes in workers’ health and some blood parameters. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in three textile dyeing units on 106 currently employed workers and a comparison group of 106 workers from units other than dyeing. A walk-through survey was done using Elmeri observational checklist. Workers were subjected to an interviewer-administrated questionnaire that included sociodemographic, occupational characteristics and the last six months reported health complaints. Their complete blood counts, liver, and kidney functions were also assessed. Results: Elmeri index scores of studied dyeing units showed that occupational health and safety situation was good (61.1%) in unit 1, moderate (50.0%) in unit 3, and poor (38.9%) in unit 2. Exposed workers reported significantly more respiratory and dermatological problems, musculoskeletal pain, visual and hearing complaints than those in the comparison group. Moreover, liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) were significantly higher among textile dyes-exposed workers than those of the comparison group. Lastly, liver enzymes of workers in the dyeing unit with the poorest industrial hygiene score were significantly higher than those of workers in the other two units. Conclusion: Studied textile dyeing units had various uncontrolled environmental hazards. Exposed workers showed significantly related health complaints along with
altered blood parameters. These findings highlight the importance of workplace assessments and targeted improvements in workplace conditions.