'' OCCUPATION AND HEALTH ''
This is my Environmental Study
Nowadays many different types pollution is a growing threat to health Throughout The world. It was considered a great threat after the terrible Incidence of Epidemics of Asthma in USA and JAPAN in 1955 and death About 4,000 People In UK-LONDON in-1952.In INDIA , BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY alerted the country To the dangers of air pollution. we have already Read about some of the Consequences of this tragedy in Block one Unit of This course and No amount Of money in Compensation from union Carbide Reverse the ill effects on the Health of affected people.
For most people, the choice of job is limited. The Poor and the Privileged People who have been doing most risky and hazardous jobs and living in the Dirtiest of Environments suffer from many of the diseases, But the people Who Work in offices in a Comfortable environment are not free of diseases Either. They suffer from Physical illness and Psychological stress which, in Fact , is the root cause of many health problems. Studies have shown that Exposure to toxic chemicals and physical agents in working environment contribute to LUNG DISEASES, HEART DISEASES, SKIN DISORDERS, CANCER, HERING LOSS etc. Diseases occurring due to Deterioration of Environment at working site are known as OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.
HEALTH IS WEALTH :
Let's now describe about Causes and diseases
WORKING ENVIRONMENT and HEALTH :
Diseases that results due to working in Factories, Mines , Agricultural Lands, Offices etc. The incidence of these diseases is on the rise due to ever Increasing Industrialization.
1. MINING and FACTORY WORK
In INDIA, Silicosis was 1st reported from the KOLAR GOLD MINES-MYSORE In-1947, Since then its occurrence has been uncovered in various other Industries. It is common in people working in COAL, GOLD, IRON, LEAD, BAUXITE,ZINC, MANGANESE and other metal mining Industries, Pottery and Ceramic, Marble Industry, Iron and Steel Industries, Sand Blasting and Many Type of Construction work and Several others. In Bihar , the Incidence of Pneumoconiosis in mica industries was found to be 34% and in Ceramic industry-15%. Another major illness Byssinosis, is Common among Textile Workers who work in the bale opening room, Carding room, Blow room and The winding and Spinning room. Workers inhale Allergenic Pollutants while Working and get NOSE, THROAT and EAR diseases. Some cases of CANCER of nose and throat have been noted in workers in Chemical factory. It is feared that levels of exposure to some factory Chemicals my even result In death.
According to a study prepared for US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the hazardous Industries are ranked as shown in the Margin. The ranking in the Study was based on- The relative toxicity of the Carcinogen involved and other is- The extent of exposure to them by the Workers.
In INDIA, Several home Industries operate in Unorganized private sector Where people work in the most unhealthy conditions. Due to lack of Adequate Space, Light, Ventilation and Safety measures, They fall prey to many Diseases.
FOR EXAMPLE :
Workers in welding Industry suffer from early Blindness and Respiratory Diseases, In Flour Mills from Lung diseases, in sift industry from Ear, Nose And throat diseases, In Paprika Industry from Lung disease called PAPRIKOSIS and In tobacco factories from Lung diseases and Allergic skin Diseases.
Some of the Occupational problems are due to Lack of awareness and Negligence. For instance most workers do not use Goggles while working With bright light or Gloves while handling Carcinogenic Chemicals, Therefore They are often exposed to bright light and get Eye diseases and become Eventually Blind. Carcinogenic Chemicals cause Cancer which is common in Dyers, Tanners, Painters and in the people working in Chemical Industries.
2. AGRICULTURAL FIELD WORK :
Nowadays farmers use various kinds of Chemicals as Insecticides or Pesticides such As- DIAZINON, MALATHION, CARBARYL-SEVIN, ALDICARB-TEMIK etc to protect Plants. Chlordane is widely used to control Termite Infestations and 2,4-D is generally used to kill weeds. Due to exposure to Such Chemicals , Farmers suffer from Neurological Paralytic diseases or Toxic poisoning or Cancer. It is observed that women working on such farms Invariably suffer from Irregular Menses, Abortions, Cancer and give birth to Abnormal children.
3. OFFICE WORK :
Persons working in offices suffer from diseases of Spine, Backache and Spondilytis. This could be due to use of Uncomfortable furniture and Abnormal sitting posture.
4. WORKING HABITS :
Personal habits during working hours play a great role in deciding health of An individual. In INDIA, quite a few people of Chew tobacco mixed with lime. Some of the workers in textile factories are misled To believe that by chewing tobacco and Chuna they will not get constant cough or other disorders of Lungs. Workers smoking cigarettes as relief During working hours , may get Cancer of Lung. Tea and Coffee are taken in excess routinely by people working in offices. These beverages, through Stimulants are habit-forming and are harmful to health. Tea causes Acidity in The Stomach.
Workers from Chemical factories do not use Gloves while handling hazardous Carcinogenic materials ,They do not take a bath or wash their Hands before taking meals. As a result they ingest hazardous Chemicals and Suffer from several diseases due to toxic poisoning by Lead, Mercury etc. Negligence or Lack of knowledge of good house keeping at the shop floor or Work site, Produces accidents causing minor Injuries , Fractures and even Death. Unhygenic habits leading to Chemical contact with skin produces Eczema, Allergic diseases of skin- Chronic Ulcer of skin and Machine oil Dermatitis of hands.
5. TRAVEL :
Persons who drive fast and do not take a break or use protective and Preventive aids are likely to be involved in accidents. Continuous travel Increases stress on body and the person may suffer from High Blood Pressure, Problems like Indigestion, Hyperacidity and so on.
6. IRREGULAR TIMINGS :
Many people work in night shifts. This duty is often by rotation, it changes a Person's physiological rhythms, who may suffer from Insomnia, Indigestion, Headache, High Blood Pressure and Irritability. Such symptoms make the Worker inefficient or might even force him to remain absent from work.
7. MANY OTHER PROFESSIONS :
People working in Laboratories handling various infective material may suffer From Hepatitis- Jaundice or diseases like AIDS. Some of them handle Substances containing radioactive Isotopes or Carcinogens. Consequently , They are subject to risks.
* The occupational Health, safety and welfare Act outlines the responsibilities Of Employers and Employees for health and safety in the work place.
* It is important to appreciate that it is not only the Employer's job to provide A safe working Environment, it is also the responsibility of the workers to Ensure that they protect themselves and other from harm.
The most Hazardous Industries- Cancer Causing Chemicals used are :
* Industrial and Scientific Instruments- Asbestos, Lead, Solder
* Fabricated Metal Products- Lead, Nickel, Asbestos, Certain Solvents
* Electrical Equipment and Supplies- Lead, Asbestos, Mercury, Chlorohydrocarbons, Certain Solvents
* Machinery - Expect electrical - Cutting, Quenching and Lubricating oils
* Transportation Equipment- Ingredients of Plastics, Including Formaldehyde And Phenol
* Petroleum and Petroleum Products - Benzene, Naphthalene
* Leather Products- Chrome salts and Organic Compounds used in tanning Of hides
* Pipeline Transportation - Petroleum derivatives, Metals used in welding
Finally the work Atmosphere, Expectation of the Employer, Interpersonal relations, Pressure of work etc, May lead to Stress and Cause illness .It is seen that a majority of The Occupational diseases damage body organs Permanently.
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