Abstract:
Considering the use of animal hides and skins in the preparation of leather
products, the indoor working environment of tanneries tend to contain inhalable dust
particles as well as microbes that may pose health risks to workers. In the current study,
which was carried out at Premium leather industry Lahore, health risk was analysed on
the basis of particle size distribution. Aerosol spectrometer was used to conduct indoor
aerosol analysis considering two different categories of indoor airborne nanoparticles
(nanoparticles of sizes > 0.25µm and > 0.5μm). Twelve departments within the tannery
were covered along with questionnaire survey to identify baseline health status of
workers and any changes that might be caused due to working environment. Microbial
samples were collected from the air using silicon glass slides and were identified and
isolated in the laboratory. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealing a variety of bacteria
most of which are pathogenic were found closely related to ones detected. As a
conclusion, both the inhalable fraction of nanoparticles as well as the pathogenic bacteria
can be found guilty of creating a harmful environment for workers based on different
departments and processes involved. Workers with existing ailments were prone to
infections compared to the healthy ones. Use of proper PPEs and aeration can also be
helpful.
