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Industrial Health Apr 2004India being a developing nation is faced with traditional public health problems like communicable diseases, malnutrition, poor environmental sanitation and inadequate... (Review)
Review
India being a developing nation is faced with traditional public health problems like communicable diseases, malnutrition, poor environmental sanitation and inadequate medical care. However, globalization and rapid industrial growth in the last few years has resulted in emergence of occupational health related issues. Agriculture (cultivators i.e. land owners + agriculture labourers) is the main occupation in India giving employment to about 58% of the people. The major occupational diseases/morbidity of concern in India are silicosis, musculo-skeletal injuries, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive lung diseases, asbestosis, byssinosis, pesticide poisoning and noise induced hearing loss. There are many agencies like National Institute of Occupational Health, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Central Labour Institute, etc. are working on researchable issues like Asbestos and asbestos related diseases, Pesticide poisoning, Silica related diseases other than silicosis and Musculoskeletal disorders. Still much more is to be done for improving the occupational health research. The measures such as creation of advanced research facilities, human resources development, creation of environmental and occupational health cells and development of database and information system should be taken.
Topics: Employment; Humans; India; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Health; Occupational Medicine; Public Policy; Research
PubMed: 15128163
DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.42.141 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Mar 2023To assess the association of exposure in cotton mills in Karachi with different definitions of byssinosis and lung health.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the association of exposure in cotton mills in Karachi with different definitions of byssinosis and lung health.
METHODS
This cross-sectional survey took place between June 2019 and October 2020 among 2031 workers across 38 spinning and weaving mills in Karachi. Data collection involved questionnaire-based interviews, spirometry and measurements of personal exposure to inhalable dust. Byssinosis was defined using both WHO symptoms-based (work-related chest tightness), and Schilling's criteria (symptoms with decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV). Values of FEV/forced vital capacity ratio below the lower limit of normality on postbronchodilator test were considered as 'chronic airflow obstruction' (CAO).
RESULTS
56% of participants had at least one respiratory symptom, while 43% had shortness of breath (grade 1). Prevalence of byssinosis according to WHO criteria was 3%, it was 4% according to Schilling's criteria, and likewise for CAO. We found low inhalable dust exposures (geometric mean: 610 µg/m). Cigarette smoking (≥3.5 pack-years), increasing duration of employment in the textile industry and work in the spinning section were important factors found to be associated with several respiratory outcomes.
CONCLUSION
We found a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms but a low prevalence of byssinosis. Most respiratory outcomes were associated with duration of employment in textile industry. We have discussed the challenges faced in using current, standard guidelines for identifying byssinosis.
Topics: Humans; Byssinosis; Pakistan; Cross-Sectional Studies; Occupational Exposure; Lung; Dust; Textiles; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Textile Industry
PubMed: 36717255
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108533 -
The National Medical Journal of India 1995
Topics: Byssinosis; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases
PubMed: 7549847
DOI: No ID Found -
Thorax Jun 1996
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The International Journal of... Oct 2014Cotton is the main agricultural export product in Benin. Cotton dust is thus present in the air during the handling and processing of cotton. This dust contains a...
BACKGROUND
Cotton is the main agricultural export product in Benin. Cotton dust is thus present in the air during the handling and processing of cotton. This dust contains a mixture of substances including ground up plant matter, fibres, bacteria, fungi, soil, pesticides, noncotton matter, and other contaminants. While cotton processing is decreasing in industrialized countries, it is increasing in developing countries. Cotton processing, particularly in the early processes of spinning, can cause byssinosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the respiratory effects of cotton dust exposure among cotton mill workers in Benin.
METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 109 workers exposed to cotton dust and 107 unexposed workers were studied. The International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) questionnaire was used for data collection on respiratory symptoms. For each worker, crossshift pulmonary function was performed with a dry spirometer. Based on the severity of respiratory symptoms and spirometry byssinosis was defined and classified according to the criteria of Schilling, et al.
RESULTS
The mean ± SD age of the exposed and unexposed workers was 46.3 ± 7.8 and 37.0 ± 8.3 years, respectively (p<0.001). The mean FEV1 predicted value for the exposed and unexposed workers was 76.3% and 77.3%, respectively. The prevalence of grade 3 byssinosis was 21.1% (95% CI: 13.4-28.9) in exposed workers and 8.4% (95% CI: 3.1-13.7) in unexposed workers (p=0.006). On Mondays, the exposed workers had more respiratory symptoms than unexposed workers; for grade 3 byssinosis, the prevalence was 13.8% in exposed and 4.7% in unexposed workers (p=0.011).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and byssinosis among cotton mill workers in Benin is high and needs prompt attention of health care workers and policymakers.
Topics: Adult; Benin; Byssinosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dust; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Prevalence; Respiration Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Textile Industry; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 25270009
DOI: No ID Found -
Environmental Health Perspectives Apr 1986Byssinosis, a respiratory disease of workers on cotton, flax, and soft hemp, is classically characterized as shortness of breath, cough, and chest tightness on Mondays... (Review)
Review
Byssinosis, a respiratory disease of workers on cotton, flax, and soft hemp, is classically characterized as shortness of breath, cough, and chest tightness on Mondays or the first day of return to work after a time off. Exposure to these vegetable dusts can also result in other respiratory diseases, and the term cotton dust-induced respiratory disease (CDIRD) is introduced. Although clinically characterized for more than a century, the underlying pathogenesis of CDIRD remains obscure. An allergic pathogenesis has been proposed. This article reviews previous and current research findings supporting this mechanism and raises the possibility that, in some individuals, CDIRD may be due to pre-existing or occupationally induced mold allergy.
Topics: Alternaria; Byssinosis; Dust; Gossypium; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; Immunoglobulin E; Radioallergosorbent Test; Skin Tests
PubMed: 3519202
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.866617 -
Journal of Ayub Medical College,... 2023Cotton dust is generated during various textile manufacturing processes. Only a few studies from Pakistan assessed cotton dust exposure and explored the relationship of...
BACKGROUND
Cotton dust is generated during various textile manufacturing processes. Only a few studies from Pakistan assessed cotton dust exposure and explored the relationship of duration of work in the textile industry with respiratory health outcomes. We aimed to assess cotton dust exposure and its association with lung function and respiratory symptoms among textile workers in Pakistan.
METHODS
We report findings from the baseline survey of the larger study, MultiTex, among 498 adult male textile workers from six mills conducted between October 2015-March 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan. Data collection included the use of standardized questionnaires; spirometry, and area dust measurements through UCB-PATS. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were developed to assess the association of risk factors with respiratory symptoms and illnesses.
RESULTS
We found the mean age of workers to be 32.5 (±10) years; around 25% were illiterate. The prevalence of COPD, asthma, and byssinosis was 10%, 17%, and 2%, respectively. The median cotton dust exposure was 0.33 mg/m3 (IQR: 0.12-0.76). Increased duration of work among non-smokers was associated with a decline in lung function, FVC (-245 ml; 95% CI: -385.71, -104.89) and FEV1 (-200 ml; 95% CI: -328.71, -841.1). Workers with certain job titles (machine operators, helpers, and jobbers), those with greater duration of work, and higher dust exposure, were more likely to report respiratory symptoms and illnesses.
CONCLUSIONS
We report a high prevalence of asthma and COPD and a low prevalence of byssinosis. Cotton dust exposure and duration of employment were associated with respiratory health outcomes. Our findings highlight the need for preventive interventions in the textile industry in Pakistan.
Topics: Adult; Male; Humans; Young Adult; Dust; Byssinosis; Textiles; Asthma; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 36849387
DOI: 10.55519/JAMC-01-10901 -
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine Mar 2013Over 60 million people worldwide work in the textile or clothing industry. Recent studies have recognized the contribution of workplace exposures to chronic lung... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Over 60 million people worldwide work in the textile or clothing industry. Recent studies have recognized the contribution of workplace exposures to chronic lung diseases, in particular chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Early studies in textile workers have focused on the relationship between hemp or cotton dust exposure and the development of a syndrome termed byssinosis. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effect of long-term exposure to organic dust in textile workers on chronic respiratory disease in the broader context of disease classifications, such as reversible or irreversible obstructive lung disease (i.e. asthma or COPD), and restrictive lung disease.
RECENT FINDINGS
Cessation of exposure to cotton dust leads to improvement in lung function. Recent animal models have suggested a shift in the lung macrophage:dendritic cell population ratio as a potential mechanistic explanation for persistent inflammation in the lung due to repeated cotton dust-related endotoxin exposure. Other types of textile dust, such as silk, may contribute to COPD in textile workers.
SUMMARY
Textile dust-related obstructive lung disease has characteristics of both asthma and COPD. Significant progress has been made in the understanding of chronic lung disease due to organic dust exposure in textile workers.
Topics: Cotton Fiber; Dust; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Risk Factors; Textile Industry; Workforce
PubMed: 23361196
DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e32835cee9a -
British Medical Journal Sep 1962
PubMed: 20789509
DOI: No ID Found -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... May 2023Metal fume fever is a well-known occupational disease that arises from prolonged exposure to subtoxic levels of zinc oxide-containing fumes or dust. This review article... (Review)
Review
Metal fume fever is a well-known occupational disease that arises from prolonged exposure to subtoxic levels of zinc oxide-containing fumes or dust. This review article aims to identify and examine the possible immunotoxicological effects of inhaled zinc oxide nanoparticles. The current most widely accepted pathomechanism for the development of the disease involves the formation of reactive oxygen species following the entry of zinc oxide particles into the alveolus resulting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activation of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B transcriptional signal, thus evoking the symptoms. The role of metallothionein in inducing tolerance is believed to be a key factor in mitigating the development of metal fume fever. The other, poorly proven hypothetical route is that zinc-oxide particles bind to an undefined protein in the body as haptens to form an antigen and act as an allergen. After activation of the immune system, primary antibodies and immune complexes are developed and type 1. hypersensitivity reaction occurs, that can cause asthmatic dyspnoea, urticaria and angioedema. The development of tolerance is explained by the formation of secondary antibodies against primary antibodies. Oxidative stress and immunological processes cannot be completely separated from each other, as they can induce each other.
Topics: Humans; Zinc Oxide; Welding; Lung; Byssinosis; Inhalation Exposure; Air Pollutants, Occupational
PubMed: 36907501
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113722