Health Implications of Beedi Rolling: Evaluating Morbidity, DNA Damage, and Hematological Profile

Beedi rolling is a labor-intensive occupation that can cause a variety of health problems due to prolonged exposure to tobacco dust. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess morbidity, hematological profile, and DNA damage among beedi rollers in Karnataka.

A total of 153 participants, including 85 beedi and 65 non-beedi rollers, were enrolled in the study. Morbidity status and hematological parameters were determined through a structured questionnaire and autoanalyzer, respectively. DNA damage was quantified by measuring micronuclei frequency from buccal mucosal cells.

The majority of beedi rollers were women from low socioeconomic background. Nearly half of them work in an environment with poor lighting and one-third in rooms with inadequate ventilation. The most commonly reported morbidities included musculoskeletal symptoms, followed by ophthalmic and respiratory symptoms. When compared to non-beedi rollers, the beedi roller group exhibited significantly lower mean hemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, monocyte count, and packed cell volume. Beedi rollers were observed to have higher frequency of micronuclei, indicating increased DNA damage, compared to non-beedi rollers (P = 0.016).

The elevated micronuclei frequency observed among beedi rollers underscores the importance of continued research to identify and address specific occupational hazards contributing to genetic damage in this population.