Occupational Health Risks and Respiratory Disorders in Pakistan’s Textile Industry

Abstract

Textile business is among the biggest sectors of the Pakistani economy that has more than millions of employees. Nonetheless, it is also linked to serious occupational health hazards especially respiratory disorders caused by long exposure to cotton dusts, chemical dyes, and inadequate ventilation. This paper explores the incidence, etiology, and outcome of respiratory diseases in the textile industry, such as chronic bronchitis, byssinosis, and asthma, and reviews some of the occupational and environmental factors, which contribute to respiratory diseases. Based on the empirical research, government documents, and global guidelines on occupational health, the research identifies ineffective safety precautions, the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the inefficiency of the regulatory effort as the primary issues. The evidence shows that, textile workers are exposed to high amounts of respiratory morbidity, which is frequently associated with low awareness, limited access to healthcare and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The researchers emphasize the necessity of better health standards in the workplace, frequent surveillance, and health education to reduce workplace hazards.