Cotton Dust Exposure and Resulting Respiratory Disorders Among Home-Based Garment Workers

Cotton dust exposures and resulting respiratory disorders among Thai home-based garment workers in Bangkok were explored. Structured interviews focused on occupational health assessments of respiratory disorders; workflow process observations, lung function screening tests, and garment dust density...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Workplace health & safety 2016-03, Vol.64 (3), p.95-102
Main Authors: Silpasuwan, Pimpan, Prayomyong, Somchit, Sujitrat, Dusit, Suwan-ampai, Plernpit
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Cotton Fiber
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dust
Female
Humans
Inhalation Exposure - adverse effects
Inhalation Exposure - prevention & control
Inhalation Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
Nursing
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Exposure - prevention & control
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Occupational Health Nursing
Prevalence
Respiratory Tract Diseases - epidemiology
Respiratory Tract Diseases - etiology
Risk Factors
Textile Industry
Thailand - epidemiology
Workplace
Young Adult
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Summary:Cotton dust exposures and resulting respiratory disorders among Thai home-based garment workers in Bangkok were explored. Structured interviews focused on occupational health assessments of respiratory disorders; workflow process observations, lung function screening tests, and garment dust density assessments were used to gather data. Results revealed that garment workers in this study had worked in home-based tailoring an average of 14.88 years; 88.5% reported average health status, only 2.6% currently smoked cigarettes, and 8.6% had impaired lung function. The prevalence of respiratory disorders in this occupational group was 25%. Significant respiratory tract signs and symptoms were associated with lung function capacity (odds ratio [OR] = 52.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [6.49, 419.60]). Long work hours and few preventive behaviors were significantly associated with respiratory disorders (OR = 2.89 and OR = 10.183, respectively). Improving working conditions at home and minimizing fabric dust exposure among garment workers are recommended.
ISSN:2165-0799
2165-0969
DOI:10.1177/2165079915607495