Mitigating Airborne Occupational Hazards in Passaka’s Industries in Bhutan: A Policy Brief on Enhancing Worker Health, Productivity, and Sustainable Economic Development
Abstract
Background: Bhutan's industrial growth, especially in Pasakha, creates significant occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges, particularly from airborne hazards. A lack of localized data hinders effective OHS policy development. This study addresses this gap by assessing airborne hazard exposure in selected Chukha Dzongkhag industries to inform national OHS strategies.
Methodology: Twenty-seven air samples were collected over 30-minute periods from 14 workplaces across seven industrial sectors. Samples were analyzed by an internationally accredited laboratory for 17 parameters including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), formaldehyde, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, chromium), and silica. Results were compared against Bhutan's 2022 OHS Regulation and international standards (OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH).
Results: Findings show widespread exceedances of permissible exposure limits (PELs). Formaldehyde reached 1.11 ppm in plastics (PEL: 1.0 ppm). PM10 hit 1,165 µg/m³ in metals (PEL: 150 µg/m³). Heavy metal exceedances were significant: lead at 91 µg/m³ (PEL: 50 µg/m³), arsenic at 86 µg/m³ (PEL: 10 µg/m³), and chromium at 81 µg/m³ (PEL: 50 µg/m³). Silica reached 84.7 µg/m³ (PEL: 50 µg/m³).
Conclusion: The study highlights critical occupational health risks from airborne chemical exposure in Bhutanese industries. These widespread PEL exceedances threaten worker health and impede national development. Urgent policy interventions are needed, including immediate action plans, strengthened regulations, robust OHS monitoring, capacity building, promoting engineering controls, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to safeguard Bhutan's workforce and ensure sustainable economic growth.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.7048.202601
How to cite this article:
Dendup P, Subba K, Dorji S G, Passaka’s Industries In Bhutan: A Policy Brief On Enhancing Worker Health, Productivity, And Sustainable Economic Development Int J Preven Curat Comm Med. 2026;12(1):25-33.
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