Affiliations: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health,
Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Department of Community Medicine, Bangladesh Institute
of Health Sciences, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Moniruzzaman, Department of
Community Medicine, Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences (BIHS), 125/1,
Darus Salam, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh. Tel.: +880 1717210525; E-mail:
mmzbd82@gmail.com
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to find out the eye problems of
the workers exposed to high temperature in re-rolling mill. PARTICIPANTS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200
workers of selected re-rolling mills in Chittagong of Bangladesh during April
to June 2008. METHODS: Data was collected through face to face interview of the
respondents by using a pre tested questionnaire and check list and physical
examinations which were completed by Braun Thermo Scan Ear Thermometer and by
Coaxial-plus Ophthalmoscope. Work place temperature and humidity were measured
by industrial digital thermometer and hygrometer. RESULTS: Physical examination revealed that 25.5% of participants
had inflammation of conjunctiva, 26% had itching of the eyes, 1.5% had corneal
inflammation, 13.5% had partial opacity of the cornea, and 20.5% had hazy
corneas. Of the total respondents, a majority had redness of the eyes, itching
and blurring of vision. Most of the complaints were found to be associated with
longer job duration (⩾ 5 years), production workers and high temperature
(⩾ 40°C). CONCLUSION: The current study findings recommended that, the workers
should be protected by using safety glasses with side shields and by wearing an
apron of impervious cloth. There should be a surveillance system on work
environments by appropriate authority for monitoring safety and maintenance of
industrial hygiene.
Keywords: Inflammation of cornea and conjunctiva, watering of eye, redness of eye, visual problem, furnaces, high temperature
