Workers in the wool and silk industries face various health hazards. In the wool industry, anthrax infection from Bacillus anthracis bacteria present in infected animal fleeces poses a severe health risk, especially to laborers who sort fleeces. Allergic reactions to animal hair, including skin and respiratory issues, are also occupational hazards. In the silk industry, chemicals used for processing silk can cause skin and eye irritation. Exposure to moth scales and silk proteins may lead to asthma. Contact with hot water during silk reeling can cause burns. Dyes used to color silk can also be harmful if ingested. Protective measures like ventilation, protective equipment and hygiene can help prevent health issues.

1. Animal Fiber
Health Hazard
Done by: Tejaswi, Sreelekshmi, shifa and sreya

2. Health Hazards
•Workers employedin the wool andsilk
industries often suffer fromvarious kind
of ailments. These are called occupational
hazards. Health risks or health problems
can be associatedwith substances usedat
work, tension generatedby the work,
adverse conditions prevailing in the work
sites, chances of contact with disease-
causing germs

3. Occupational Hazards Of Wool Industry
Sorter’s disease or anthrax is an infectious
disease caused by bacterium Bacillus anthracis
which is present in the fleece of infected
animals. It causes severe bloodinfection.
Laborers that sort fleeces are at maximum risk
of getting infectedby this disease

4. Allergic reactions are other
occupational hazards.Laborers may
have allergic skins reactions such as
irritation of the skinand eyes.
Respiratory allergy (allergy of the
lungs and other parts of the airways)
arises frominhaled hair.

5. Occupational Hazards Of Silk Industry
•Various chemicals usedfor degreasing,
disinfecting, bleaching and dyeing silk cause
irritation of the eyes andskin. Moreover, workers
handling raw silk may get allergic to silk reactions.
•The scales of the mothand silk fiber proteins can
initiate asthma.
•Continuous contact with hot water usedin reeling
of silk may turn the skin of the hands soft and can
cause burns and scalds

6. •Many of the dyes that are usedto color silk
are easily absorbedby our digestive system, if
ingested, andcan cause health problem.
Suchconditions can be preventedby using less
dangerous chemicals, having proper exhaust
andventilation, personal protective
equipment, goodwashing facilities (including
shower baths where practicable andstrict
personal hygiene.

7. Cross-Curricular Link
(Chemistry)
Chemicalstructureof silk

8. •________ is an infectious disease causedby
bacteriumBacillus anthracis which is present in the
fleece of infectedanimals.
Anthrax Allegic reaction
Both A and B

9. •How can we prevent ourselves from using silk
dyes?
Stop using silk
dye
Try using less
dangerous
chemicals
Non of the
above

10. •Anthrax is a disease caused by bacterium
called_______________
Staphylococcus
anthracis
Sorter’s disease
Bacillus
anthracis