Occupational Injuries and Health Status Among Rural Tribal Non-Traditional Fishing Communities in the Coastal Region of Tamil Nadu, India.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the occupational injuries and health hazards associated with fishing as an occupation among non-traditional rural tribal fishing communities in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 170 individuals belonging to a fishing community, comprising both male (n = 82) and female (n = 88) participants. The demographic details including occupational history, lifestyle characteristics, socio-economic status, personal habits, and health status were assessed through the questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The fishing community has a low socioeconomic status and poor literacy, lifestyle, and personal habits. The mean age of the participants was 38.8 yrs (male 34.8; female 39.9 yrs). Only 10% reported usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the work duration varied from 8 to 24 hrs in a day. While male subjects reported smoking habits (12%) and alcohol consumption (23%), none of the females reported alcohol consumption and smoking habits. The major occupational injuries that occurred were due to catfish (72%) and oysters (48%). A large number of female subjects reported musculoskeletal pains. The body mass index of about 28% of fishermen was above the normal range. Abnormal blood sugar, blood pressure, and respiratory and neurological symptoms were the other major health complaints. The major environmental hazards reported were salinity, solar radiation, tides, and high wind. CONCLUSION: Injuries from handling fish and oysters were observed to be the major occupational burden. Additonally, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic health illness was commonly observed among the fishers. Adequate training and awareness programs are required for effective management of occupational health hazards and health promotion.

A community-based study of dental fluorosis in rural children (6-12 years) from an aspirational district in Karnataka, India.

Objectives: The present study was planned to estimate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in 6-12 years of children and its association with various drinking water sources, water, and urine fluoride levels among the subset of children under the umbrella of a larger study to address iodine deficiency disorders and iron deficiency anemia in 17 villages of Manvi and Devadurga talukas of Raichur district of Karnataka. Methods: Analysis of subset of data and urine samples of children under the umbrella of a larger cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in 17 villages of Manvi and Devadurga taluks of Raichur district. House to house survey was carried out to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire in ODK software. Demographic details, source of drinking water, clinical assessment of dental fluorosis, and height and weight measurements were performed by trained staff. Urine and water samples were collected for fluoride level estimation. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis and its severity-wise prevalence were estimated. Association between dental fluorosis and age, gender, type of diet, source of drinking water, height for age, BMI for age, water fluoride level, and urine fluoride level were carried out using logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 46.0%. Mild, moderate, and severe dental fluorosis was found in 37.9, 7.8, and 0.3% of children. With the increasing age of participants, the odds of dental fluorosis were found to increase by 2-4 folds. The odds of having dental fluorosis were significantly increased with increasing water fluoride levels of 3 to 5 ppm [AOR = 3.147 (1.585-6.248); P = 0.001] in comparison with water fluoride levels of < 1 ppm. The similar trend was found with urine fluoride level > 4 ppm [AOR = 3.607 (1.861-6.990); P < 0.001]. As compared to river water, other sources of drinking water were significantly associated with higher odds of dental fluorosis. Conclusions: Prevalence of dental fluorosis was high in 6 to 12 years due to overexposure of fluoride from drinking water. High water and urine fluoride levels in children indicate the chronic exposure to fluoride and suggest that the population is at high risk of developing chronic fluorosis.

Evaluation of telomere length and genotoxicity among asphalt associated workers.

There are contradictory reports about bitumen exposure and malignancy risk worldwide. Also, the evidence for genotoxicity risk among workers occupationally exposed to asphalt is insufficient. The study intended to evaluate particulate matter 10 (PM10) at the workplace and biomarkers of genotoxicity effects among a group of asphalt workers in and around Bangalore, India. This study involved a total of 107 participants (54 exposed group and 53 unexposed control group). To evaluate the genotoxicity, the urinary 8-OHdG and relative telomere length as oxidative damage while micronucleus (MN) assay for cytogenetic damage was carried out during the study. The majority of workers have reported health complaints and 57.4% of them were not using any personal protective equipments (PPE's). The level of PM10 detected was 104 ± 9.5 µg/m3 and 619 ± 22.7 µg/m3 in the road paving and asphalt mixing sites respectively. The biomonitoring study observed a highly significant (p = <0.001) increase in the level of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the exposed group (23.17 ± 8.65 ng/mg creatinine) compared to the control (13.6 ± 7.12 ng/mg creatinine), revealed age significant associated and non-smoking borderline significant associated for oxidative stress. The relative telomere length (TL) analysis revealed its highly significant (p = 0.004) reduction in the exposed group, adjusted mean 0.95 (95% CI 0.83-1.07) compared to the control 1.06 (95% CI 0.91-1.26). The job category (p = 0.028), non-smoking (p = 0.026), and tobacco chewing (p = 0.013) were associated with reduced relative TL in the asphalt exposed group. In cytogenotoxicity analysis, the mean micronucleus (MN) frequency per 100 cells in the exposed group (26.46 ± 19.8) was significantly (p = <0.001) increased over the control group (8.56 ± 7.18). Neither smoking habit nor age appeared to influence the MN frequencies in either group. In the present study, we have demonstrated genetic damage in workers occupationally exposed to asphalt and particulate matter, raising concern for an increased risk of malignancy in these workers.

Assessment of genotoxicity and cholinesterase activity among women workers occupationally exposed to pesticides in tea garden.

To assess the effects of exposure to pesticides in tea garden women workers, the present study evaluated the activities of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) as biomarkers of pesticide exposure and DNA damage by comet assay as a biomarker of genotoxicity in peripheral blood lymphocytes. We examined 143 women subjects including 77 women workers exposed to pesticide in tea garden (exposed) and 66 women subject with no history of occupational exposure to pesticides (non-exposed). The two groups had similar mean ages, BMI and personal habits. The results revealed that exposed group had lower activity of AChE (2.86 ± 0.75 vs. 3.93 ± 0.87 U/ml) BChE (2.02 ± 0.74 vs. 2.60 ± 0.74 U/ml, p < 0.001) than those of non-exposed group. The mean comet parameters such as tail length (TL), % DNA in tail, tail moment (TM) and olive tail moment (OTM) used to measure DNA damage were significantly elevated in exposed workers compared to non-exposed (p < 0.001). There was no variation observed in Cholinesterase (ChEs) activity and Comet assay parameter based on age, personal habits, years of exposure and use of personal protective equipments (PPEs) except BChE activity. The multiple regression analysis showed no association of confounding factors on end points measured except slight negative association of BMI with tail length. Therefore this study suggests that the workers in tea garden might have exposed to pesticide through their occupation on a regular interval. Although this study could able to associate it with their occupational exposure, the role of other DNA damaging factors cannot be ruled out. Our study finding indicate the necessity of periodic monitoring of these biomarkers along with imparting education and training to minimise the risk.