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Prevention
of Green Tobacco Sickness among Tobacco Harvesters
India
ranks third among the most important tobacco producing
countries next only to mainland China and U.S.A. and accounts
for about 7.9% of the total tobacco production. It is
estimated that about seven lakh growers and five lakh curers
are engaged in tobacco cultivation. The chief tobacco growing
states in India are – Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka,
West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, and Bihar. Of
these, Andhra Pradesh ranks first; Gujarat second and
Karnataka third. India produces several types of tobacco which
fall under two botanical species namely Nicotiana
tabacum and Nicotiana
rustica.
Occupational
health problems associated with tobacco cultivation are known
as “Green Tobacco Sickness” (GTS). It is a mild and acute
form of nicotine toxicity that affects tobacco workers who
have direct dermal contact with tobacco plants during
cultivation and harvesting. Headache, nausea, vomiting,
giddiness, and loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness and
sometimes fluctuations in blood pressure or heart rate
characterize it. The GTS was first reported from U.S.A. in
1970. Later on it was also reported by NIOH in Indian Tobacco
Harvesters in 1979 & 1986. The Prevalence of GTS among
Indian tobacco harvesters in these studies was found fairly
high among the harvesters of both the varieties i. e.
non-Virginia (86.20%) and Virginia (53.29%) respectively. It
was also observed in these studies that excretion rate of
nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine in urine were
increased and about 3 to 4 times higher among exposed workers.
In tobacco
harvesters, nicotine gets absorbed mainly through the skin of
the hands. Gloves would, therefore, be the most logical
solution. Two types of gloves were provided to non-Virginia
tobacco harvesters who suffered from green tobacco sickness (GTS).
Use of both the types of gloves showed significant reduction
in prevalence of GTS and in nicotine absorption as reflected
by nicotine and cotinine excretion rate in urine. It was found
that with respect to GTS, the use of rubber gloves afforded
protection to 93% of the subjects, while with cotton gloves
the proportion was 78.5%. Both the types of gloves were found
saturated and encrusted with thick plant sap during harvesting
and they were difficult to wash and clean after short term
use. Different types of gloves are now being tried for testing
their acceptability and efficacy .
Dust Control Techniques for Prevention of Pneumoconiosis
Prevention of Green Tobacco Sickness among Tobacco Harvesters
Testing of Hearing Protection Devices
Compensation of Occupational Diseases
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