The Border Of Salt and Health: An Assessment of the Impacted Health of Solar Salt Farmers in Kangagani, Pemba
Submission Type
Event
Faculty Advisor
William Jaeckle
Expected Graduation Date
2018
Location
Room E104, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-21-2018 11:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2018 12:00 PM
Disciplines
Education
Abstract
Solar salt farming (SSF) utilizes the evaporative power of the sun to extract table salt from sea water. SSF farmers are subjected to constant bright sunlight and hot brine containing sharp salt crystals on which they walk. Despite the intense nature of the work, there have been no occupational health and safety studies conducted about SSF in Pemba, Tanzania. This study was conducted in the community of Kangagani, Pemba, the site of the first salt farm on the island of Pemba in 1991. Of the 62 SSF farmers in Kangagani, 20 were interviewed about their health changes since they started collecting salt. 71.4% of the interviewed farmers reported dermatological afflictions (e.g., ulcers, scars, pain), 62.5% reported visual degeneration, along with body pain and headaches. These ailments can be combated through protective gear and occupational health education. However, most salt farm owners do not provide the gear for the workers; 15% of farmers reported owning protective boots and 5% reported owning sunglasses. In collaboration with Care and Share, a local NGO, current efforts are underway to secure funding to provide education and protective gear to salt farmers across Pemba Island and other SSF areas.
The Border Of Salt and Health: An Assessment of the Impacted Health of Solar Salt Farmers in Kangagani, Pemba
Room E104, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Solar salt farming (SSF) utilizes the evaporative power of the sun to extract table salt from sea water. SSF farmers are subjected to constant bright sunlight and hot brine containing sharp salt crystals on which they walk. Despite the intense nature of the work, there have been no occupational health and safety studies conducted about SSF in Pemba, Tanzania. This study was conducted in the community of Kangagani, Pemba, the site of the first salt farm on the island of Pemba in 1991. Of the 62 SSF farmers in Kangagani, 20 were interviewed about their health changes since they started collecting salt. 71.4% of the interviewed farmers reported dermatological afflictions (e.g., ulcers, scars, pain), 62.5% reported visual degeneration, along with body pain and headaches. These ailments can be combated through protective gear and occupational health education. However, most salt farm owners do not provide the gear for the workers; 15% of farmers reported owning protective boots and 5% reported owning sunglasses. In collaboration with Care and Share, a local NGO, current efforts are underway to secure funding to provide education and protective gear to salt farmers across Pemba Island and other SSF areas.