title: Cotton Dust Exposure and Resulting Respiratory Disorders Among Home-Based Garment Workers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University.
authors.forename: Pimpan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silpasuwan
authors.affiliation: Health Care Center.
authors.forename: Somchit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prayomyong
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University.
authors.forename: Dusit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sujitrat
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University plernpit.suw@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Plernpit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suwan-Ampai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013783:Textile Industry; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004391:Dust
keywords: fabric dust exposure; home-based garment workers; lung capacity; respiratory disorders; working conditions