HEALTH HAZARDS

IN SILK INDUSTRY
ES 601
Environmental Health and Safety
End Term Presentation
 Introduction and Relevance

Sericulture is a major cottage industry in many countries: Some major health concerns:
● plays an important role in the Indian economy ● Musculoskeletal ailments
● agro-based, labor-intensive, export-focused industry ● Allergies
● produces a lot of jobs and revenue per acre of land ● Eye irritation
● India comes in second place among the nations that ● Respiratory illnesses
produce mulberry silk ● Anxiety and more!
● an estimated 177,500 tonnes of silk produced
annually worldwide!

Major silk producing Indian States

Source: DBMR, ScienceDirect

 Identification of Major Health Hazards

We map a simple process flow of sericulture and identify hazards basis data available via primary research, with the goal
of achieving results similar to basic workplace monitoring.
Process Flow Process Description Exposure To
Silkworm Farming Silkworms raised in cocooneries

Silkworms
Silkworms diseases and allergens

Silkworm Cocoon Harvesting Cocoons harvested Dust and allergens

Silkworm Cocoon Reeling Extraction of silk Dust, allergens and strain injuries

Degumming Removal of sericin Hot water, chemicals and fumes

Silk Processing
Weaving Silk filaments are woven Dust, allergens and strain injuries

Dyeing Bleaching and dyeing Chemicals and fumes

Finishing Washing, drying, ironing etc. Chemicals, heats and noise

 Health Impact on Ecosystem

Next, we map major health hazards associated with these exposures for workers:

Exposure To Hazard/Disease Caused Safety Limit

Silkworm diseases Respiratory infections, diarrhea, and skin irritation (dermatitis and -
eczema)
Silkworm Allergens Respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions 1 g/kg/day NOAEL for sericin
Dust Respiratory problems, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and bronchitis 10 mg/m3 TLV for inhalable
particles
Chemicals Skin irritation, respiratory problems, cancer, and reproductive 10 mg/m3 PLV for dyes like Acid
problems Blue 9
Fumes Respiratory problems, especially CO poisoning and eye irritation 35 mg/m3 PEL for ammonia fumes

Repetitive strain injuries Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis -

Heat stress Dehydration, muscle cramps, and heat stroke 41 degree Celsius for 10-15 minutes

Noise Hearing loss 85 dB for 8 hours

 Health Impact on Ecosystem

Most common health hazards for workers: Harmful impact on the Environment:

● Dermatitis ● Solid and water waste disposal

Skin lesions, localized mainly on the fingers, wrists ● Fertilizers and pesticides usage
and forearms, become chronic, pustular or ● Smoke, CO production
eczematous and extremely painful. ● Deforestation
● Dye effluent dumping
● Carbon Monoxide ● Hot water disposal
Cherry red lividity is seen in human body due to CO
poisoning; silent killer with no smell, colour or taste Improper waste management of the above, via trophic
ad produced by poor ventilation of fuel burning transfer, reaches human beings as well.
appliance

● Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)

Around 40% of silk industry workers suffer from RSIs.
like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis
 Control Methods for Hazards
Engineering Controls
● Usage of semi-/fully automated machines
● Proper ventilation and climate control
Administrative Controls
● Develop SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for
each step, with safety and emergency protocols
● Worker Training program
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
● Provide and regular check on the PPE provided (and
used) by workers
Ergonomics
● Minimise MSDs, by improving equipment designs
● Provide ergonomic tools and equipment to reduce
physical strain
Regular Inspections
● Implement regular workplace inspections
● Conduct safety audits and assessments
Personal Health Monitoring
● Regular health check-ups for workers
● Tracking and addressing health concerns, including
allergies and respiratory issues
Government Regulations
● Comply with local and national labor and safety
regulations
● Collaborate with relevant authorities and agencies to
ensure adherence to safety standards
 Conclusion, Future Scope
& References

● The multiple problems encountered by rearers are

○ high fluctuations in cocoon prices ○ exploitation by middlemen

○ climatic disturbances ○ transportation problem
○ inadequate finance for investment ○ shortage of skilled workers
○ inadequate market facilities ○ health problems

Overall development of sericulture industry is necessary to lessen the health problems of the rearers.
Preventive maintenance done well is crucial to keeping hazard controls operating as intended.
Workers in the sector should receive training regarding potential health risks and how to prevent them.

● To reduce the health risks associated with the sericulture industry,

○ Government and NGOs should work together to establish health hazards control measures.
○ Provisions for protective gear like face masks and first aid in every sericulture unit

References
● https://www.jiarm.com/JUNE2016/paper27772.pdf
● https://neptjournal.com/upload-images/NL-21-17-(17)-B-163.pdf
● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6625272/
 Thank You

Divij Goyal Meenal Agarwal

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