For the past three years, Jim Johnston has been conducting research in Nepal to develop policies aimed at protecting brick kiln workers.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) sets standards and ensures safe workplace conditions for workers nationwide. However, in Nepal, there are no respiratory protections or OSHA equivalents.
Not only do these brick kiln workers labor in extreme air pollution levels all day, but they are also exposed to pollution in their homes that far exceeds acceptable levels in the U.S., according to World Health Organization guidelines.
Attempting to address this issue, Johnston and a team of researchers have spent the past three years conducting research in Nepal. However, after seeking community input, workers in Nepal informed the researchers of their main concern: Education for their children.
After receiving this input, Johnston reassessed the team’s objective and developed plans to move forward.
“The plan right now is to find an area to develop a community center where children can come and be provided an education from non-profit organizations,” he said.
This intervention plan is set to take effect after the research team completes its final round of air pollution exposure measurements for brick kiln workers this year.
“This is our third year of measuring the brick workers' exposures,” Johnston said. “After this year I think our research questions will shift to intervention.”
By adapting their focus, Johnston and his team are striving to create long-lasting impacts in Nepal. The ultimate goal of research, he noted, is to drive enough change so that external support is no longer necessary. The key to achieving this, he said, is communication.
“If you don’t have community leadership for public health interventions, they will fail,” he said. “You have to ask how much they want you, and in what capacity, and just make sure you’re listening carefully.”
As the initial research phase comes to a close, Johnston reflects on some of his biggest takeaways. From recognizing the deep impacts of poverty to the rewards of mentoring students, he said the relationships built in Nepal have been life-changing.
“Just the love that our students have developed for the people is awesome,” he said.
As the priority in Nepal shifts, Johnston and his team remain committed to fostering sustainable change.
For more information about Jim Johnston's research in Nepal, listen to Kilns, Dust, and Hope: A Fight for Health and Learning with Dr Jim Johnston.
