Assessment of inflammatory status and oxidative stress in readymade garment manufacturing workers of Garden Reach-Metiabruz area of Kolkata

Objectives: The textile industry including readymade garment manufacturing contributes substantially to the foreign exchange earned by India. More than 45 million people are employed in this industry. Our previous study revealed a compromised lung function (obstructive and mixed) in readymade garment manufacturing workers in the Garden Reach-Metiabruz region of Kolkata. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of the work environment on the immune health at the local and systemic levels of the workers of this region. Oxidative stress encountered by the workers was also assessed. Materials and Methods: Male workers of age group 18–35 years ( n = 80) from readymade garment manufacturing units of Garden Reach-Metiabruz region of Kolkata, India were selected for the study. The control group was selected from the same region unexposed to the factory environment. Blood samples were collected from both groups for estimation of cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol and anti-oxidants of the subjects. Sputum samples from dust-exposed workers were studied for alveolar macrophages. Results: Accumulation of alveolar macrophages in the sputum was noted in the workers which indicated a local inflammation. A systemic inflammatory state was revealed by elevated proinflammatory cytokines and CRP. Reduction in antioxidants noted is an indicator of oxidative stress in the workers. Conclusion: A chronic proinflammatory condition exists in these workers and may be the underlying cause of the compromised respiratory status noted in the workers of this region. The inflammatory condition may lead to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune disorders, etc., later in life. This might also influence the outcome of various respiratory infections like the current COVID-19.