PM10, PM2.5, AND PM1 concentrations and health effects in textile factories

Abstract

This study aimed to determine particulate matter (PM) concentrations and the health complaints of workers in spinning and weaving factories. PM2.5 concentrations in spinning factories were greater than the threshold limit value. PM1 concentrations were also above TLV set for PM2.5. The sum of fine and very fine dust concentration was therefore found to be very high in spinning factories. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were less than the limit (750 mu g m(-3)) in weaving factories. As a result, workers had complaints about chest tightness, phylem, breathless, and coughing in spinning factories, which could be due to high PM2.5 concentrations. In weaving factories, the workers did not have complaints about tightness in the chest and coughing, which should have resulted from low PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations.