Tobacco Farming is also injurious to health.
On occasion of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad has raised concerns on direct penetration of nicotine through skin among farm workers in the state. Gujarat is second largest tobacco producing state in the country that contributes 10.4% to global output. It is also home to the largest population of farm workers suffering from Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS).
According to official figures,the prevalence of GTS is 47.0% (2006) among state’s tobacco workers affecting 55.7% female workers and 42.66% male workers. The fever also affects teenage children, a matter of concern for NIOH.
GTS is a type of poisoning caused by the dermal absorption of nicotine from the surface of wet tobacco plants due to constant contact with them. Dr PK Nag, director of NIOH said, “High levels of nicotine penetrate the skin of thousands of tobacco farm workers due to direct exposure to green tobacco leaves. This creates serious health hazards and is a matter of grave concern for us.”
Green tobacco sickness resultsin hypertension, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities and eye problems. Gynaecological issues in women workers were also detected.Symptoms of GTS include nausea,vomiting, headache, dizziness,severe weakness and fluctuations in blood pressure or heart rate.Abdominal cramps,shivering, increased sweating,dribbling and difficulty in breathing are also common.
American Guidelines forRural and Agricultural Health and Safety lists GTS as one of several hazards that children face when working on tobacco farms. Experts believe that more efforts and increased surveillance is needed to track GTS cases in state. However,NIOH is doing its bit to increase awareness about this disease.
“A number of camps were organised this year to make farmers use safety gear while handling these crops,” said Nag.
