Dermatological Symptoms among Polyester Dyeing and Printing Workers in Mumbai

BACKGROUND: Textile is one of the important sectors in the Indian economy. The use of synthetic chemicals is maximum during the wet processing technique, which consists of dyeing, printing and finishing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of occupational dermatological symptoms among the workers employed in the dyeing and printing unit of the textile industry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, with a sample of 242 workers, was conducted in three different dyeing and printing factories. The workers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of dermatological symptoms on the hands was found to be 51.7%. The various pattern of lesions included redness in 0.4% to itching in 26% of dyeing and printing workers. Those working for >5 years had 2.21 times higher risk as compared to those working for ≤5 years Odds Ratio (OR): 2.21; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.19–4.11). Similarly, those working in the dyeing section were at 2.94 times higher risk as compared to those working in the printing section (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.58–5.47). CONCLUSION: The workers working in the printing and dyeing industry were at risk of developing skin lesions, which can partly be attributed to reactive chemicals used and partly to poor handling practices of the workers.