Abstract
Background: In brick kiln and construction industry
the exposure to carbon monoxide and silica dust is the
most common occupational hazard to the workers in
these industries. A study on occupational health
hazards of working women in these two unorganized
sectors was undertaken by Lokmanya Medical
Research Centre. Objectives: To study the effect of
work site environment on the health of the women
working in brick kiln and construction industry. An
attempt was also made to study the seasonal changes in
the concentration of carbon monoxide and dust at the
worksite. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional
study was conducted among the working women (age
18-40 years) at brick kilns and construction sites
during summer and winter season. They were
examined primarily to assess the effect of working
environment on health. Gasteck Detector Pump of
model 800 and air sampling instrument (SKC Air
Check–52) were used to measure concentration of
carbon monoxide and dust in the air respectively.
Results: There were 66% of women who were in the
age group of 18-40 years and most of them (94%) were
married. At brick kiln sites, average CO exposure was
62.8 ppm and 55.5 ppm and average dust exposure was
3 3
146.1 mg/m and 91.4 mg/m in summer and winter
season respectively.At construction sites, average dust
exposure was 41.5 ppm and 90.8 ppm in summer and
winter. Conclusion: Both exposure to CO and dust
were more in summer than in winter in brick kiln
industry whereas in construction industry the exposure
to dust was more in winter season. A high level of
morbidity in the form of headache, bodyache,
problems with vision, cough and breathlessness were
observed in both industries. It is strongly
recommended to take pollution control measures.
Citation
ID:
178539
Ref Key:
2015journaloccupational