Question

What adverse effects are observed on health of workers in the silk industry?

Answer 1

Those working in the silk industry are prone to respiratory diseases, scabies or other skin infections.
The vapour produced during the steaming, cooking and reeling of cocoons, if inhaled, can cause asthma, respiratory problems or bronchial ailments. During reeling, the workers need to boil the cocoons in warm water. Because of the regular dipping of hands into the warm or boiling water, their skin develops blisters, and later starts peeling-off.