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International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

11 

  



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

12 

 

 
 

 

 

Art of Medicine International Medical Scientific journal 

 

Founder and Publisher Pascual Izquierdo-Egea 

Published science may 2021 year. Issued Quarterly. 
Internet address: http://artofmedicineimsj.us 

E-mail: info@artofmedicineimsj.us 

11931 Barlow Pl Philadelphia, PA 19116, USA +1 (929) 266-0862 

 

 
  



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

13 

Influence of working conditions in uzbek silkworm plants on the functional state 

of the body of women  

Iskandarov Aziz Bakhromovich 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medical Sciences, Senior Researcher of the 

Scientific Research Institute of Sanitation, Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of the 

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan 

 

Abstract: Workers' working conditions in producing silkworm grapes do not comply 

with hygienic regulations. Analysis of the dynamics of the indicators of the functional 

state of their bodies showed that from the beginning to the end of the working day, 

physiological reactions are indicating pronounced industrial fatigue. The introduction 

of preventive measures is necessary to reduce the fatigue of the labor process.  

Keywords: silkworm production, working conditions, functional state of the body, 

fatigue, prevention. 

The production of natural silk is increasing year by year in Uzbekistan. The 

government's investment policy of the republic has allowed in recent years to more 

than 2 times increase the volume of production of domestic productive breeds of 

mulberry silkworms, than which cocoons are grown. Uzbekistan ranks 4th in the 

world after China, Vietnam, and India production of live cocoons. Currently, there 

are 17 silkworm plants and 3 breeding silk stations producing elite and super elite 

grennas in Uzbekistan. The peculiarity of the technological process of grenache 

production, increasing from year to year volumes of grenache production, cause the 

employment of a large contingent of working women in this agricultural branch of 

the national economy of the republic.  

The technological process of grenade production (mulberry silkworm eggs) is 

divided into two stages. 

The first stage is the fattening of caterpillars (April-May), which is carried out 

on farms.  

The second stage is acceptance of cocoons at mulberry silkworm plants, 

papilionage operations (leaving cocoons, laying them on frames for mating, steaming 

moths and collecting deposited larvae), processing, washing and hanging larvae 

(June); storage of larvae in cold storage chambers in winter conditions (November-

February). 

The main sanitary and hygienic factors during the feeding period of silkworm 

caterpillars, which lasts up to 30 days, are heating, humid microclimate of worm-

houses, abundant microflora, high content of carbon monoxide vapor, hydrogen 

sulfide and ammonia, dusty air, irregular, intensive work with considerable physical 

exertion. 



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

14 

The duties of worm breeders include collecting and preparing silkworm leaves, 

stacking them in the worm houses, and working with mulberry silkworm caterpillars. 

Women mostly perform all production operations. 

Work involving the collection and preparation of mulberry leaves takes up to 

50% of worm breeders' daily time, i.e. up to 12 hours. In the breathing zone during 

this period, they determine dust, the source of which is dusty silkworm branches. 

Concentration of dust varies from 5,8 to 7,4 mg/m3, average level is 6,7 mg/m3 

(MAC-6,0 mg/m3) [2]. 

During this period, the severity of the labor process is associated with the need 

to lift and carry mulberry leaves to worm-houses at a distance of more than 5 meters. 

The physical dynamic load during this labor operation (involving arm, trunk and leg 

muscles) is more than 40000 kgm.  

Worm breeders systematically put mulberry leaves to caterpillars during the 

day, every day they come into contact with mulberry silkworm caterpillars and 

products of their life activity for an average of 4 hours. 

While in worm-houses, working women are exposed to a warming, humid, 

convectional microclimate. The air temperature in worm-houses during the fattening 

period varies from 24 to 36°C and averages 29.8°C, the relative humidity is 26-55% 

(the average is 38.8%), and the air is low-moving. 

It was found that total insemination characterizes the air in the worm-houses 

with sanitary-positive microorganisms, the level of insemination is within hygienic 

norms. Sanitary-positive microorganisms were also detected on clothes and exposed 

body parts of working women. The presence of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and 

carbon monoxide vapors was also detected in the air in the worm-houses. The content 

of ammonia in the air of worm-houses in the breathing zone of fatteners exceeded 

MPC 1.1 times, the average concentration being 22,2±0,7 mg/m3. The content of 

hydrogen sulfide (a substance with an acute effect) in the breathing zone of fatteners 

exceeds the MPC 1.3 times, the average concentration is 13.0±0.56 mg/m3. Carbon 

monoxide content in the breathing zone of worm breeders did not exceed on average 

the sanitary norms, it was equal to 14,3±1,4 mg/m3. 

Illumination of working surfaces in worm-houses is natural, artificial light is 

turned on only in the dark time of day. The level of illumination is uneven and varies 

from 5 to 800 lux, the average level is 111.6±9.8 lux, the coefficient of natural 

illumination (CEI) ranges from 0.45 to 5.79%, on average CEI is 2.04%. 

Working conditions of women engaged in feeding silkworm caterpillars belong 

to the 3rd class of the 3rd degree of hazard [3,6]. 



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

15 

A study of the functional state of women engaged in feeding silkworm 

caterpillars showed that 57.3% of those examined had elevated blood pressure. More 

often, elevated blood pressure was in low-salary women. 

With increasing length of service associated with feeding silkworm caterpillars 

in women increases the difference between proper and actual biological age: with the 

length of service of 1 year biological age is higher than the proper biological age on 

average of 2.3 years, with up to 10 years of service this figure increases to 5 years, 

with experience over 15 years biological age is 12.5 years above the proper biological 

age [Biol.oz]. Besides, with the increased length of service, the indicators 

characterizing subjective estimation of their psycho-emotional state worsen in 

working women. 

The obtained data indicate the necessity to develop and implement measures to 

improve the working conditions of worm breeders. 

The second stage - reception of live cocoons and carrying out papilionage work 

is carried out at silkworm plants. Cocoons are received at the silkworm factories 

within about 20 days. Cocoons are accepted from 6 to 8 a.m., while there is no heat, 

so as not to damage the pupa inside the cocoon. The agronomist-grener accepts the 

breeding cocoons and evaluates their quality. Accepted by the plant breeding cocoons 

that are not sorted by sex are transferred to the workshop, where they cut the shell 

with a blade, released pupa, sorted by sex pupae. One worker cuts off 3-4 kg of 

cocoons (1 kg 290-300 cocoons). 

After 3-4 days, the chrysalis turns into a butterfly (usually at 6-7 a.m.) and 

work with them begins (papillonage). The worker by hand on a frame, the bottom of 

which is lined with lavsan cloth, throws a certain number of butterflies (50 to 100 

pieces) females, then adds a larger number of male butterflies there. After one-hour, 

free male butterflies (not involved in mating) are manually removed from the frame, 

the frame is left for another 2 hours. Then the frames are placed on racks in 

workshops with high humidity (more than 80%), which is achieved by watering the 

floor of the workshop. In 4 hours, the frames are dropped from the butterflies (frame 

weight 2.5 kg) and the fabric is left on the elite grenade, which is stored until 

November in conditions of low temperature and high humidity.  

A complex of adverse factors characterizes working conditions for women 

working with cocoons, pupae and butterflies: the dustiness of the working area with 

fine dust during the emergence of butterflies from cocoons; limitation of general 

mobility, the monotony of work operations (cutting cocoons to release pupae, 

division of pupae by floor, work with butterflies), performing not very complex 

production operations, but which require stress of attention and vision, forced, 

uncomfortable working posture, static muscle tension when lifting the  



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

16 

During the papilionage period (mating of butterflies) scales are detached from 

the wings of many butterflies, which fly around in the air. They are irregularly shaped 

with pointed edges and long spikes. Dust from mating plants consists of 75-80% of 

organic substances of animal origin (the smallest chitinous scales) and contains a 

small amount (about 0.01%) of protein substances. The size of 90-95% of the dust 

particles is up to 10 microns. The concentration of dust in the breathing zone of 

papilionadiers ranges from 5.3 to 12.5 mg/m3 (MPC - 4 mg/m3). 

The organic composition of industrial dust, the presence of a protein of animal 

origin, shape and size of dust particles have a pronounced allergenic and local irritant 

effect. 

During work with cocoons, pupae and butterflies, the air of the working area is 

polluted with ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide - products of life 

activity of pupae and butterflies. An excess of ammonia in the breathing zone of 

women was observed during production operations of separating pupae by sex and 

removing free male butterflies from the frames. The mean concentrations of ammonia 

were 21.45±0.7 and 21.3±1.26 mg/m3 (1.06-1.07 times excess of MPC), respectively. 

Content of dihydrosulfide (hydrogen sulfide) in the air of the working area exceeded 

MPC when free male moths were removed from frames, when moths were steamed 

and when male moths were removed from frames. Mean concentrations of 

dihydrosulfide at these sites were 11.3±1.26, 13.1±0.69 and 11.2±0.96 mg/m3, 

respectively (exceeding MPC by 1.12-1.31 times). The excess of carbon monoxide 

content was detected in the breathing zone of women during the production 

operation, "cutting the head of a cocoon". The average concentration of carbon 

monoxide was 22.3±0.43 mg/m3 (exceeding MPC by 1.11 times). 

In the process of gyre production, a certain temperature-humidity regime is 

maintained, in which silkworm moths are most viable. Meteorological conditions in 

the silkworm workshops are discomforting: the temperature ranges from 28.8 to 32o 

C from the beginning to the end of work, humidity is 40-50%. This is achieved by 

primitive means: darkening the windows from direct sunlight and moistening the 

rooms' floor. 

Most of the production operations in the silkworm plant are carried out under 

visual control. The lighting of working surfaces is natural. The level of illumination 

in different production areas is significantly lower than the hygienic regulations [8], 

fluctuates on average from 25 to 53 lux, the coefficient of natural lighting is 0.3% on 

average. 

All labor processes of silkworm production are characterized by repeated 

repetition of the same working operations, i.e. refer to monotonous labor. Production 

operations performed when working with pupae more than 25% of working time are 



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

17 

performed in a forced working posture (squatting, kneeling), when mating and 

separating butterflies, more than 80% of working time are performed standing, 

accompanied by the same type of hand movements and associated with the strain of 

vision. 

Working conditions of women working at the silkworm plants are referred to 

as the 3rd class of the 3rd degree of harmfulness [3,6]. 

The study of functional condition of an organism of women working at 

silkworm works has revealed unfavorable changes from the beginning to the end of a 

working day in a condition of the higher nervous activity and attention function, 

deterioration of parameters of the neuromuscular system, not sharply expressed 

changes of the cardiovascular system, and also premature aging of an organism. 

Specific working conditions in the silkworm industry affect health: some 

workers suffer from respiratory diseases. 

To eliminate the adverse effects of the working conditions of silkworm 

production on the body of working women, it is necessary to use the following 

recommendations: 

1. In order to prevent occupational diseases of female workers in silkworm 

plants, it is necessary to follow the list of medical contraindications when hiring 

strictly. Persons with severe atrophic rhinitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, chronic bronchitis, 

bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema, pneumosclerosis, bronchiectatic disease, 

chronic eye diseases (eyelids, conjunctivae, cornea, tear-exhaust), persistent decrease 

in visual acuity [7] should not be employed at the silkworm plants. 

2. An important measure to prevent occupational diseases of silkworms and 

reduce overall morbidity is to conduct periodic medical examinations. General blood 

test, chest radiography is mandatory. Workers of the silkworm industry must be 

examined once a year by a therapist, eye doctor, dermatovenerologist and 

otolaryngologist. 

3. In order to prevent occupational diseases to work on feeding silkworms, 

should be allowed to persons after a preliminary medical examination. In addition, 

periodic examinations of workers (especially adolescent girls) should be conducted 

for early detection of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, initial changes in 

posture and other disorders. Arterial hypotension, all forms of anemia and metabolic 

disorders are contraindications to work in silkworm fattening. 

4. Artificial local exhaust and supply ventilation with air conditioning should 

be installed in all production shops. 

5. In order to avoid the dust entering the papillary rooms, the silkworm plants 

must have a set of amenity rooms isolated from production and equipped with a 

separate entrance: rooms for eating, dressing rooms, showers and toilets.  



Art of Medicine           Volume-2 

International Medical Scientific Journal        Issue-1 

10.5281/zenodo.5847906 

18 

6. In the period of papilionage one should use dust-proof respirators such as 

RH 19 or "Lepestok". 

7. Dry cleaning of rooms by hand is prohibited. It should be done with the help 

of a vacuum cleaner.. 

8. It is recommended to provide the workers of silkworm plants with hot and 

cooled green and black tea, carbonated water (it should be taken into account that due 

to the content of caffeine, tannin and vitamins, green tea has a pronounced tonic 

effect). Great importance should be given to a rational and balanced diet. 

9. It is forbidden to use the labor of girls under 18 years of age at the silkworm 

plants according to the "List of jobs with hard and hazardous working conditions, 

which prohibit the use of the labor of persons under 18 years of age".) 

10. Weight of lifting and carrying weights for women must not exceed 9 kg, 

and manual transportation on carts or wheelbarrows - 50-60 kg[5]. 

 

Reference. 

1. Voytenko V.P., Polyukhov A.M., Barbaruk L.G. et al. / / Biological Age, Heredity and 

Aging. Kiev, 1984. pp. 5-15. 

2. Iskandarov TY, Ibragimova GZ, Iskandarova GT, Feofanov VN, Shamansurova HS, 

Tazieva LD. Sanitary rules, norms and hygienic standards of the Republic of Uzbekistan 

№0294-11 "Maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) of harmful substances in the air of 

the working area". -Tashkent, 2004. – p.53. 

3. Iskandarov T.I., Ibragimova G.Z., Shamsurova H.Sh., Slavinskaya N.V., Iskandarova 

M.S., Demidenko N.M., Iskandarova G.T., Parsegova L.G, Feofanov V.N. Sanitary rules, 

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production premises. -Tashkent, 2016. – p.10.  

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