The Nephrolepis exaltata Herbal Mask Inhibit Nasal Mucociliary Transport Time Elongation of Textile Industry Employees

Abstract

Background: Employees of the textile industry is directly exposed to Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) chemicals  such as formaldehyde, and benzene- toluene- xylene (BTX), that may slow the nasal mucociliary transport time (NMCTT). Nephrolepis exaltata (NE) is an herbaceous plant which is capable of absorbing formaldehyde, xylene, trichlorethylene, and carbon monoxide from the air. Nephrolepis exaltata herbal mask is used for upper respiratory tract protection that be measure and compare who wear regular cloth mask.

Methods: A pre- and post-test randomized control trials, that was conducted at textile industry Bawen  Indonesia. The samples were the employees in dyeing section (N = 30) which were grouped into; treatment (N = 17) that use NE-herbal mask and control group                        (N = 13) using regular cloth mask, for 8 weeks. The NMCTT before and after treatment                   were examined using saccharin test.

Results: The NMCTT of treatment group before vs after; 1169.60 ± 644.55 seconds vs 1075.75 ± 677.36 (P= 0.102). At control group, 1113.75 ± 479.43 vs 1187.40 ± 544.96                    (P = 0.003).  The mean difference of delta for NMCTT before and after the treatment                   was 25.5. Statistically there was a significant difference of mean delta for NMCTT between treatment group and control group (P = 0.048).

Conclusion: The use of Nephrolepis exaltata herbal mask is better than regular cloth mask,  in decreasing NMCTT of the employees of textile industry.

Keywords: BTX, dyeing, formaldehyde, NMCTT, Nephrolepis exaltata