OBJECTIVETo investigate occupational health status in migrant female workers in artificial gem cottages in Guangxi and to provide reference evidence for drawing up countermeasures to protect migrant female workers from occupational hazards.

METHODSTwo thousands and ninety five migrant female workers in artificial gem manufacturing cottages in Wuzhou City, Guangxi Province, were randomly recruited to participate in the investigation. The standardized occupational health questionnaires were used to collect the information of demographic characteristics, occupational exposure and medical symptoms by interviewing with persons.

RESULTSArtificial gem manufacturing cottages in Wuzhou were mainly composed of family-workshops. There were only simple and crude hygienic facilities. Major occupational hazards included dusts, noise, vibration, hydrofluoric acid, and light stimulation. The mean age of workers was 30. Mean exposure duration was 5 years. There was no occupational health monitoring records for these workers in the past years. Major symptoms included back pain, eye discomfort, and headache. The incidence of discomfort symptoms increased with age.

CONCLUSIONOccupational health protection and monitoring in artificial gem manufacturing cottage, in Guangxi have not been performed. More effective occupational health education and administration need to implement in family-type handicraft manufacturing.