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Journal of Public Health in Africa Oct 2023Occupational exposure to cotton dust is still an important cause of respiratory problems in textile workers particularly in less developed countries like Egypt. Evaluate...
Occupational exposure to cotton dust is still an important cause of respiratory problems in textile workers particularly in less developed countries like Egypt. Evaluate respiratory symptoms and diseases, and pulmonary function pattern among Egyptian textile workers. Cross sectional comparative study was conducted from December 2019 to September 2020 in a textile factory in Egypt; 364 male workers (184 cotton dust exposed workers, and 180 unexposed workers) were included. Participants were subjected to an interviewing questionnaire, British Medical Research Council questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function tests, and byssinosis grading format. Descriptive and analytic statistics were conducted. Chronic cough, phlegm production, and shortness of breath grade I, II and III were more reported in cotton dust exposed workers than unexposed workers (P#x003C;0.01, P#x003C;0.01, and P=0.02, respectively). Prevalence of chronic bronchitis was significantly higher among cotton dust exposed workers (12%) than unexposed workers (3.9%) (P#x003C;0.01). The mean percent predicted values of lung function indices reflecting large-1irway function (VC, FVC, FEV, FEV%, PEFR, and FEF) were significantly lower in cotton dust exposed workers (P#x003C;0.01). Prevalence of byssinosis was 22.8%. Workers with byssinosis had significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, cross-shift reduction in PEFR and significant decrease in mean percent predicted values of FVC, FEV, PEFR, FEF, and FEF than workers without byssinosis. This study revealed a substantial association between cotton dust exposure at work and respiratory symptoms and morbidity. Regular measurement of cross shift change in PEFR is recommended among exposed workers for early diagnosis of byssinosis.
PubMed: 38020280
DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2741 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Apr 1986Exposure to cotton or grain dust causes an obstructive bronchitis in certain subjects, mechanisms of which are poorly understood. A difficulty encountered in discerning... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Exposure to cotton or grain dust causes an obstructive bronchitis in certain subjects, mechanisms of which are poorly understood. A difficulty encountered in discerning mechanisms of this airway disease is the lack of knowledge of the active components of these dusts. Clinical features suggest common but not exact mechanisms of the airway disease associated with these vegetable dusts. Human and animal studies show evidence of acellular and cellular inflammatory mechanisms of the bronchoconstriction and inflammation associated with these disorders. Potential cellular sources include alveolar macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mast cells, basophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes. Acellular origins include the complement and humoral antibody systems, both of which have been implicated, although their pathogenic role in grain or cotton dust disorders is uncertain. In this review we critically address potential inflammatory mechanisms of airway alterations resulting from cotton or grain dust exposure. General mechanisms of bronchoconstriction are first presented, then specific studies dealing with either of the two dusts are discussed. We believe this area of research may be fruitful in dissecting mechanisms of bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation, especially as more human studies are undertaken.
Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; Blood Platelets; Byssinosis; Complement System Proteins; Dust; Edible Grain; Gossypium; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Lung; Macrophages; Mast Cells; Mucus; Muscle Contraction; Pneumoconiosis
PubMed: 3519205
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.86667 -
Annals of Agricultural and... 2015The ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium Pantoea agglomerans (synonyms: Enterobacter agglomerans, Erwinia herbicola) is known both as an epiphytic microbe developing on... (Review)
Review
The ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium Pantoea agglomerans (synonyms: Enterobacter agglomerans, Erwinia herbicola) is known both as an epiphytic microbe developing on the surface of plants and as an endophytic organism living inside the plants. The bacterium occurs also abundantly in plant and animal products, in the body of arthropods and other animals, in water, soil, dust and air, and occasionally in humans. From the human viewpoint, the role of this organism is ambiguous, both deleterious and beneficial: on one side it causes disorders in people exposed to inhalation of organic dusts and diseases of crops, and on the other side it produces substances effective in the treatment of cancer and other diseases of humans and animals, suppresses the development of various plant pathogens, promotes plant growth, and appears as a potentially efficient biofertilizer and bioremediator. P. agglomerans was identified as a predominant bacterium on cotton plant grown all over the world, usually as an epiphyte, rarely as pathogen. It is particularly numerous on cotton bract after senescence. During processing of cotton in mills, bacteria and their products are released with cotton dust into air and are inhaled by workers, causing respiratory and general disorders, usually defined as byssinosis. The most adverse substance is endotoxin, a heteropolymer macromolecule present in the outermost part of the cell wall, consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a major constituent, phospholipids and protein. The numerous experiments carried out in last quarter of XXth century on laboratory animals and human volunteers supported a convincing evidence that the inhaled endotoxin produced by P. agglomerans causes numerous pathologic effects similar to those elicited by cotton dust, such as influx of free lung cells into airways and activation of alveolar macrophages which secrete mediators (prostaglandins, platelet-activating factor, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor) that cause accumulation of platelets in pulmonary capillaries initiating an acute and chronic inflammation resulting in endothelial cell damage and extravasation of cells and fluids into the lung interstitium. These changes cause bronchoconstriction, the decrement of lung function expressed as reduction of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and/or diffusion capacity, increase in the airway hyperreactivity and subjective symptoms such as fever, airway irritation and chest tightness. The conclusions from these experiments, performed mostly 2-3 decades ago, did not loose their actuality until recently as so far no other cotton dust component was identified as a more important work-related hazard than bacterial endotoxin. Though also other microbial and plant constituents are considered as potential causative agents of byssinosis, the endotoxin produced by Pantoea agglomerans and other Gram-negative bacteria present in cotton dust is still regarded as a major cause of this mysterious disease.
Topics: Allergens; Byssinosis; Cotton Fiber; Dust; Endotoxins; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Humans; Pantoea
PubMed: 26706959
DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1185757 -
Seminars in Respiratory and Critical... Jun 2015Environmental and occupational pulmonary diseases impose a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality on the global population. However, it has been long observed... (Review)
Review
Environmental and occupational pulmonary diseases impose a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality on the global population. However, it has been long observed that only some of those who are exposed to pulmonary toxicants go on to develop disease; increasingly, it is being recognized that genetic differences may underlie some of this person-to-person variability. Studies performed throughout the globe are demonstrating important gene-environment interactions for diseases as diverse as chronic beryllium disease, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis, occupational asthma, and pollution-associated asthma. These findings have, in many instances, elucidated the pathogenesis of these highly complex diseases. At the same time, however, translation of this research into clinical practice has, for good reasons, proceeded slowly. No genetic test has yet emerged with sufficiently robust operating characteristics to be clearly useful or practicable in an occupational or environmental setting. In addition, occupational genetic testing raises serious ethical and policy concerns. Therefore, the primary objective must remain ensuring that the workplace and the environment are safe for all.
Topics: Animals; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing; Global Health; Humans; Lung Diseases; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Tract Diseases
PubMed: 26024343
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1549450 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Mar 1996Acute inhalation of organic dusts such as cotton, hay, silage, grain, animal confinement, or compost dust can result in illness characterized by fever, pulmonary... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Acute inhalation of organic dusts such as cotton, hay, silage, grain, animal confinement, or compost dust can result in illness characterized by fever, pulmonary inflammation, chest tightness, and airway obstruction. These agricultural materials are complex mixtures of plant, bacterial, and fungal products. Elucidation of the time course of disease onset, the mechanisms of disease progression, and the identity of etiologic agents is essential for effective prevention and treatment. Toward this end, animal models for acute organic dust-induced reactions have been developed and characterized. Information concerning the applicability of various animal models to humans and progress toward elucidation of causative agents and mechanisms of action is presented.
Topics: Animals; Byssinosis; Dust; Edible Grain; Environmental Exposure; Gossypium; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Lung
PubMed: 8722109
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.96104s141 -
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal =... Feb 2022In India, around 20 million workers are engaged in the textile industries. However, the prevalence of byssinosis has been little reported.
BACKGROUND
In India, around 20 million workers are engaged in the textile industries. However, the prevalence of byssinosis has been little reported.
AIMS
To determine the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory disorders among workers exposed to cotton dust in textile mills in Delhi, India.
METHODS
Sputum samples were collected from 156 workers employed in 15 cotton textile mills, and expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin (CK) marker proteins was investigated. Information regarding respiratory symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history was also gathered.
RESULTS
Symptoms were observed in 56.41% of the workers. Expression of EMA and CK was observed in 27.5% and 50% of the workers, respectively. Expression of EMA and CK was significantly associated with smoking and duration of employment.
CONCLUSION
Measures are needed to reduce dust levels in the workplace, and to discourage smoking and alcohol consumption among the textile workers.
Topics: Cotton Fiber; Dust; Humans; Keratins; Mucin-1; Occupational Exposure; Textile Industry
PubMed: 35304912
DOI: 10.26719/emhj.21.058 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine May 1978ABSTRACT Byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms and acute and chronic changes in FVC and FEV were investigated in 77 workers in sisal spinning and 83 workers in sisal...
ABSTRACT Byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms and acute and chronic changes in FVC and FEV were investigated in 77 workers in sisal spinning and 83 workers in sisal brushing departments in six Tanzanian sisal factories. Although the prevalence of byssinosis in spinning departments was found to be low (5·2%), it was very high in brushing departments (48·2%). Workers in brushing were exposed to sisal dust for a significantly longer period (11·77 ± 7·3 years) compared to workers exposed to sisal in spinning (2·85 ± 2·56 years). Although the number of smokers in brushing (42%) was similar to that in spinning (37%), smokers were more prone to byssinosis than were non- or ex-smokers after standardisation for duration of exposure. We were unable to measure dust levels in this study, but dust levels in spinning and brushing are cited from previous studies. These confirm our impression that the dust level in spinning is higher than that in an average cotton carding department and far higher in brushing than in spinning. Acute falls in FVC and FEV were found during the work shift. The extent of the fall in FEV correlated well with the severity of byssinosis; 75% of the workers with grade II byssinosis and 33% of those with grade ½ + I were found to have acute falls in FEV greater than 0·2 litres. However some workers, 10% in spinning and 33% in brushing, who denied symptoms of byssinosis, were also found to have acute falls in FEV. Some workers had slight or severe chronic ventilatory impairment from dust (FEV less than 80%, or less than 60% of the respective predicted values), and these workers were mostly from the brushing department. The prevalence of chronic cough and chronic bronchitis was found to be negligible in workers in the spinning and in the brushing departments: 9·6% had a chronic cough and 12% had chronic bronchitis. It is concluded that a high prevalence of byssinosis associated with chronic and acute changes in FVC and FEV occurs in the brushing departments of sisal factories, and that this is related to lengthy exposure, high dust level and smoking.
Topics: Adult; Byssinosis; Environmental Exposure; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Smoking; Spirometry; Tanzania; Textiles; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 656336
DOI: 10.1136/oem.35.2.123 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Apr 1964An epidemiological survey of 414 English and 980 Dutch male cotton workers was undertaken to determine the prevalence of byssinosis and respiratory symptoms, and to...
An epidemiological survey of 414 English and 980 Dutch male cotton workers was undertaken to determine the prevalence of byssinosis and respiratory symptoms, and to compare the ventilatory capacities in the two populations, with particular reference to the influence of air pollution. The English workers were employed in six mills in Lancashire and the Dutch workers in three mills in Almelo spinning similar grades of cotton. The methods used included a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and illnesses, the collection and examination of sputum, and the measurement of the forced expiratory volume over 0·75 sec. Concentrations of smoke and sulphur dioxide were measured in the English and Dutch towns. The crude rates for byssinosis were similar, 13·5% and 17% respectively in the English and Dutch card and blow rooms, and 1·5% and 1·6% respectively in the spinning rooms. The English workers had significantly higher prevalences of persistent cough and persistent phlegm and significantly lower indirect maximum breathing capacities. These findings were supported by the results of a sputum survey. Nearly twice as many English produced specimens, and the mean volume of sputum was greater for the English workers. The prevalence of bronchitis, defined as persistent phlegm and at least one chest illness during the past three years, causing absence from work, was higher in the English than in the Dutch workers in both types of work room, but not significantly so after standardizing for differences in age. Since there are important differences in the social security systems of the two countries, which may encourage more absence from illness among the Dutch, a comparison of bronchitis thus defined is likely to be invalid. The higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms and lower ventilatory capacities in the English are unlikely to be due to observer error. They are discussed in relation to smoking habits, exposure to cotton dust, and air pollution. The most likely explanation of the unfavourable picture presented by the English workers is the much higher level of air pollution in Lancashire.
Topics: Air Pollution; Bronchitis; Byssinosis; Cotton Fiber; Humans; Netherlands; Pneumoconiosis; Respiratory Function Tests; Smoking; Statistics as Topic; United Kingdom
PubMed: 14145373
DOI: 10.1136/oem.21.2.124 -
Annals of Agricultural and... Dec 2020The occupational bioaerosols containing viruses, bacteria, fungi, microbial toxins and plant or animal particles, may evoke infectious, allergic or immunotoxic diseases... (Review)
Review
COVID 19 - Possible interrelations with respiratory comorbidities caused by occupational exposure to various hazardous bioaerosols. Part I. Occurrence, epidemiology and presumed origin of the pandemic.
The occupational bioaerosols containing viruses, bacteria, fungi, microbial toxins and plant or animal particles, may evoke infectious, allergic or immunotoxic diseases which may co-exist as comorbidities with COVID-19 and exacerbate the course of disease. They include hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused mostly by bacteria, fungi, and particles containing animal proteins, and immunotoxic diseases such as organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) and byssinosis, caused mostly by bacterial and fungal toxins. The two most probable scenarios of possible interrelations between these three comorbidities (CM) and COVID-19 are: 1) 'Triggering' - when infection with SARS-CoV-2 triggers severe CM after bioaerosol exposure; 2) 'Reverse triggering' when exposure to bioaerosol exacerbates a symptomless or mild course of COVID-19, and evokes a severe disease. The occupations mostly endangered by COVID-19 as the result of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosol, or to other bioaerosols which may exacerbate this disease, include: health care workers, social workers, breeders of fur animals, slaughterhouse workers, workers engaged in the processing and selling of seafood, and probably also agricultural workers, mainly in the developing countries. The authors present a hypothesis for the origin of the present pandemic. It assumes that a mild form of the present SARS-CoV-2 that is supposedly circulating among the Chinese population in the eastern part of the country, mutated under the influence of as yet unknown factor(s) present in the Chinese seafood markets, probably component(s) of bioaerosols, into the virulent and highly contagious form, known as the present SARS-CoV-2, under a scenario similar to that the authors have named 'Reverse triggering'.
Topics: Aerosols; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Animals; Byssinosis; COVID-19; Comorbidity; Food-Processing Industry; Hazardous Substances; Health Personnel; Humans; Occupational Exposure; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33356052
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/130871 -
Journal of Occupational and... May 2018Cannabis cultivation is an emerging industry within the United States. Organic dust derived in part from naturally occurring microorganisms is known to cause byssinosis...
Cannabis cultivation is an emerging industry within the United States. Organic dust derived in part from naturally occurring microorganisms is known to cause byssinosis in the hemp industry. In this pilot study, bacteria and fungi encountered by workers at an outdoor cannabis farm that utilized organic practices were elucidated by 16 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing, respectively. Area (n = 14) and personal air samples (n = 12) were collected during harvesting and processing activities. 16 S rRNA and ITS regions of extracted bacterial and fungal genomic DNA were amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Bacterial sequencing resolved 1,077 sequences that were clustered into 639 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and predominantly placed in the phylum, Actinobacteria (46%). Personal air samples revealed higher bacterial and Actinobacteria diversity compared to outdoor area samples collected within the facility (p < 0.05). A high degree of dissimilarity between bacteria was identified within and between samples. Fungal sequences (n = 985) were identified and predominantly clustered in the phylum Ascomycota (53%). Of the 216 fungal OTUs elucidated, the cannabis plant pathogenic species, Botrytis cinerea, was the most prevalent and accounted for 34% of all fungal sequences. The relative abundance of B. cinerea was highest in personal air samples (59%) compared to area samples collected in the drying room (19%), greenhouse (18%), and outdoor environment (6%). There was 49% sample similarity between fungi identified within personal air samples, but higher dissimilarity coefficients were observed within and between greenhouse, drying room, and outdoor area air samples. The results of this pilot study suggest that the cannabis farm workers are potentially exposed to Actinobacteria as well as the cannabis plant pathogen, B. cinerea during harvesting, bud-stripping, and hand-trimming processes.
Topics: Air Microbiology; Bacteria; Botrytis; Cannabis; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Farmers; Fungi; Humans; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; Occupational Exposure; Pilot Projects; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; United States; Washington
PubMed: 29370578
DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1432863