Occupational Health Problems amongst Women Beedi Rollers in Jhansi, Bundelkhand Region, Uttar Pradesh

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of occupationally related health problems among women beedi rollers in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand region, India. Beedi rolling is a serious occupational health hazard as these workers are constantly exposed to tobacco dust, fumes and other dangerous chemicals viz: nitrosamines and nicotine which are readily absorbed by the body through skin, respiratory epithelium and mucous membrane of mouth, nose and intestine. Exposure to tobacco dust is known to affect the respiratory tracts in humans. Present study revealed that women beedi rollers face numerous health problems possibly due to direct inhalation of tobacco flakes. This study included 216 females (mean age 39.17 ± 11.95 Years) actively involved in beedi rolling to ascertain the effect of beedi rolling on health. The study found that majority of the respondents complained problems i.e. joint pain, eye problems, Nervous and skin diseases. Increased systemic exposure to tobacco constituents was evident from the high levels of creatinine in urine samples. Thus beedi rolling causes serious health problems in women.