A Study of Pulmonary Function Test in Workers Engaged in Processing of Natural Rubber

Gopalakrisnan, Suja; Kurien, Annamma; Paul, Davis

doi:10.5958/2320-608x.2019.00010.6

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…In our study, we observed respiratory problems among 28% of respondents caused by the chemicals (formic acid) and smoke during the processing of latex. These findings correspond to prior studies (Nair et al, 2016 & Gopalakrishnan et al, 2019 ) where chemical exposure was reported to be the major health hazard of rubber plantation workers. Notably, earlier studies also have shown similar results of a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms (Zuskin et al, 1994 ) among rubber workers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The large-scale expansion of rubber plantations in southern India: major impacts and the changing nature of drivers

Vijayan,

Girindran,

Sam

et al. 2024

Environ Monit Assess

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This study investigates the major environmental and socio-economic impacts of an increase in the area of rubber plantations and the changing patterns of drivers of land use changes. Using a combination of geospatial techniques and socio-economic methods, we mainly analyzed the rate of increase in area under rubber plantations, the major impacts of land use changes, and the changing drivers of land use changes. Our results show that the area under rubber plantations has increased significantly within the study area, with the area under rubber plantations increasing from 30 to 74% of the total area within five decades. Impact assessment of land use changes based on household surveys showed significant improvement in the socio-economic conditions of the farmers, however, at the expense of severe environmental degradation. Our results also indicate that while areas under rubber plantations continue to increase, the drivers of land use changes have changed over time. Furthermore, it has been observed that in the past, many interventions prioritized social and economic development and placed less emphasis on the ecological stability of the region. Perceptions of farmers revealed that the effects of ecological fragility already affected the economic robustness of the whole area. Therefore, we conclude that government interventions to support additional rubber cultivation should also focus on ecosystem stabilization in order to minimize the risk of an ecological catastrophe that would significantly affect the economic prosperity of the region.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%