Occupational health hazards in women beedi rollers in Bihar, India.

We studied the health problems of 197 female beedi rollers in Patna, Bihar, India to ascertain the effects of beedi rolling on health. The study found that more than 70% of the beedi rollers suffered from eye, gastrointestinal and nervous problems while more than 50% of the respondents suffered from respiratory problems, mostly throat burning and cough. More than 75% of the respondents faced osteological problems.