Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Deviprasad Mohabhoi, Pragyan Das and JN Mishra

Abstract:
Odisha enjoys 450 km of sea coast and coconut is cultivated in 0.50 lakh hectares with a productivity of 7300 kg nuts per ha. The total operations for making yarn from green or dry coconut is a very drudgerious operation done generally with semi mechanized mills with noisy and dusty conditions creating a non-workability area for operation. The amount of dust produced from the machines during operation is much high than the recommended value of respirable dust concentration. The study showed that a major per cent of workers suffer through various diseases such as respiratory problems, pulmonary fibrosis and even lung disorders if exposed for a long time. The concentration as well as time of exposure and the quality of the dust influences the frequency and the type of clinical syndrome in coir workers.