Occupational Impact on The Respiratory Health & Function of Women, Working in The Glass Bangle Industry

Abstract

The International Labor Organization (ILO), “reiterate every year the concern of ever-increasing burden of occupational illnesses, especially among less empowered population in less developed countries such as Pakistan. One such industry is the bangle industry wherein women work in poor conditions and are exposed to various heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, and selenium (used as coloring agents), putting their health at risk. Objective: To determine the respiratory health and function of women, working in the bangle industry. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study included a sample of 100 women, (selected using snowball sampling) working in the bangle industry in Southern Pakistan. The women were approached, and their respiratory function and oxygen saturation gauged using appropriate apparatus. The data was analyzed using SPSS. V. 21.0. Results: The mean values of various spirometric variables (FVC, FEV1, IMBC, and PEFR) were within normal range. However, FEV1/FVC% was reduced significantly (p < 0.001) among the study participants. Additionally, a high prevalence (26%) of respiratory impairment was noted. The respiratory impairment observed indicated primarily restrictive pattern of pulmonary abnormality (18%). The effect of the duration of exposure on the prevalence of respiratory impairment in the glass bangle industry was significant” (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Women employed in the glass bangle industry have poor respiratory health and continue to suffer from increasingly high levels of respiratory impairment.