Occupational Health Risks and Disease Burden Linked to Arsenic Exposure in Leather Industry Workers

Authors

  • Saima Ashraf University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakisan
  • Rabiya Shahzadi University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakisan
  • Sadia Ashraf University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakisan
  • Urwa Tul Esha University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakisan
  • Manahal Sughra University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakisan
  • Abida Shehzadi University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakisan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.1860

Keywords:

Arsenic, Occupational Health, Disease Burden, Leather Industry, Workers, Sialkot

Abstract

Background: Arsenic is a well-established toxicant associated with dermatological, respiratory, neurological, and systemic health effects, yet occupational exposure in industrial settings has received limited attention in South Asia. Leather tanning involves extensive use of chemicals that may contain or release arsenic, placing workers at heightened risk of chronic morbidity. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of arsenic-related health complaints among leather industry workers in Sialkot, Pakistan, evaluate differences compared with non-exposed controls, and determine predictors of disease burden. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and October 2023, enrolling 40 tannery workers with at least one year of employment and 40 community-based controls. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires, physical examinations, and occupational history. Symptom burden across dermatological, respiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal domains was quantified using a composite score. Statistical analyses included group comparisons, ANOVA for exposure duration, and multivariate logistic regression adjusting for confounders. Results: Workers reported significantly higher prevalence of skin lesions (48% vs. 10%, OR = 8.1, p < 0.001), respiratory complaints (42% vs. 12%, OR = 5.3, p < 0.001), and neurological symptoms (37% vs. 15%, OR = 3.3, p = 0.02). The mean disease burden score was 4.6 compared with 1.8 in controls (p < 0.001). Employment >10 years (OR = 4.12), elevated nail arsenic (OR = 1.45 per µg/g), and lack of PPE use (OR = 2.78) independently predicted high morbidity. Conclusion: Leather workers in Sialkot face a markedly higher multisystem disease burden linked to arsenic exposure, with cumulative risk rising after a decade of employment. These findings underscore the need for occupational health surveillance, protective interventions, and policy-level regulation

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Published

2024-06-27

How to Cite

Saima Ashraf, Rabiya Shahzadi, Sadia Ashraf, Urwa Tul Esha, Manahal Sughra, & Abida Shehzadi. (2024). Occupational Health Risks and Disease Burden Linked to Arsenic Exposure in Leather Industry Workers. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.1860

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024): Volume 4, Issue 2 - April to June 2024

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Saima Ashraf, Rabiya Shahzadi, Sadia Ashraf, Urwa Tul Esha, Manahal Sughra, Abida Shehzadi

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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