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Occupational and Environmental Medicine Apr 1995To study the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory abnormalities in workers exposed to cotton dust in Guangzhou in two factories that processed purely cotton.
OBJECTIVES
To study the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory abnormalities in workers exposed to cotton dust in Guangzhou in two factories that processed purely cotton.
METHODS
All the 1320 workers exposed were included. The controls were 1306 workers with no history of occupational dust exposure. Total dust and inhalable dust were measured by Chinese total dust sampler and American vertical elutriator respectively. A World Health Organisation questionnaire was used. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured by a Vitalograph spirometer.
RESULTS
The median inhalable dust concentrations ranged from 0.41 to 1.51 mg/m3 and median total dust concentrations from 3.04 to 12.32 mg/m3. The prevalence of respiratory abnormalities in the cotton workers were (a) typical Monday symptoms 9.0%; (b) FEV1 fall by > or = 5% after a shift 16.8%; (c) FEV1 fall by > or = 10% after a shift 4.2%; (d) FEV1 < 80% predicted 6.1%; (e) FEV1/FVC < 75% 4.0%; (f) cough or phlegm 18.2%; (g) chronic bronchitis 10.9%; and (h) byssinosis, defined by (a) plus (b) 1.7%. With the exception of (d), most of the prevalences increased with increasing age, duration of exposure, and cumulative inhalable dust exposure. No increasing trends of respiratory abnormalities were found for current total dust, inhalable dust, and cumulative total dust concentrations. Compared with controls, after adjustment for sex and smoking, with the exception of (d), all the pooled relative risks of respiratory abnormalities were raised for cotton exposure.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that cumulative inhalable cotton is likely to be the cause of byssinotic symptoms, acute lung function decrements, cough, or phlegm, and chronic bronchitis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Byssinosis; China; Dust; Employment; Female; Gossypium; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Prevalence; Respiration Disorders; Sex Factors; Smoking; Time Factors
PubMed: 7795743
DOI: 10.1136/oem.52.4.268 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Jan 1965A study of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms in 2,528 flax workers aged 35 years and over in Northern Ireland is reported. This represented 82·5% of the total...
A study of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms in 2,528 flax workers aged 35 years and over in Northern Ireland is reported. This represented 82·5% of the total available population. Only 3% of workers were not seen because of absence or a refusal to co-operate. Workers were interviewed using a questionnaire based on the Questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms (Medical Research Council, 1960a) with additional questions relating to respiratory symptoms at work. Byssinosis was found in workers in all stages of the industry, though its prevalence was highest in flax preparers; wet spinners and wet polishers did not appear to be at serious risk of developing the condition. When the effects of other relevant factors had been allowed for, age, duration of employment, and smoking habits, differences between the prevalence in the two sexes were found to be very small. The associations between byssinosis and the age of workers and their durations of employment in flax-preparing occupations were complex, and it was thought that a selective discharge of affected workers before the study might, in part at least, explain the absence of marked associations between these variables. Marked associations were found between both chronic bronchitis and exertional dyspnoea and the type of occupation in the mill. Workers in the early preparing occupations had a considerably higher prevalence of these conditions than expected on a null hypothesis. There were also marked associations between byssinosis and bronchitis, and between byssinosis and dyspnoea. The possible importance of these associations with regard to the aetiology of byssinosis is discussed, and it is suggested that byssinosis represents an acute, specific effect of certain textile dusts on the respiratory system, superimposed on a non-specific chronic bronchitic process.
Topics: Bronchitis; Byssinosis; Dyspnea; Flax; Humans; Northern Ireland; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Medicine; Plants; Pneumoconiosis; Statistics as Topic; Textile Industry
PubMed: 14261704
DOI: 10.1136/oem.22.1.27 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Apr 2022Byssinosis remains a significant problem among textile workers in low/middle-income countries. Here we share our experience of using different prediction equations for... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
Byssinosis remains a significant problem among textile workers in low/middle-income countries. Here we share our experience of using different prediction equations for assessing 'chronic' byssinosis according to the standard WHO classification using measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV).
METHODS
We enrolled 1910 workers in a randomised controlled trial of an intervention to improve the health of textile workers in Pakistan. We included in analyses the 1724 (90%) men who performed pre-bronchodilator spirometry tests of acceptable quality. We compared four different equations for deriving lung function percentage predicted values among those with symptoms-based byssinosis: the third US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III, with 'North Indian and Pakistani' conversion factor); the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI, 'other or mixed ethnicities'); a recent equation derived from survey of a western Indian population; and one based on an older and smaller survey of Karachi residents.
RESULTS
58 men (3.4%) had symptoms-based byssinosis according to WHO criteria. Of these, the proportions with a reduced FEV (<80% predicted) identified using NHANES and GLI; Indian and Pakistani reference equations were 40%, 41%, 14% and 12%, respectively. Much of this variation was eliminated when we substituted FEV/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (
CONCLUSION
Accurate measures of occupational disease frequency and distribution require approaches that are both standardised and meaningful. We should reconsider the WHO definition of 'chronic' byssinosis based on changes in FEV, and instead use the FEV/FVC.
Topics: Byssinosis; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Pakistan; Prevalence; Reference Values; Spirometry; Textiles; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 34799440
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107680 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Jul 1968A study was made of 93 women and 13 men employed in the spinning department of a factory in Yugoslavia processing soft hemp (). There were seven occupational groups,...
A study was made of 93 women and 13 men employed in the spinning department of a factory in Yugoslavia processing soft hemp (). There were seven occupational groups, with average concentrations of total airborne hemp dust ranging from 2·9 mg./m. to more than 19·5 mg./m.. Thirtyeight women and 11 men, employed in other departments of the factory with average total dust concentrations below 1·0 mg./m., were studied as controls. In the spinning department 40·6% of the workers had byssinosis and 15·1% had chronic bronchitis (defined as persistent cough and phlegm on most days for as much as three months each year during the last two years). None of the controls suffered from either disease. After adjustment for age, sitting height, and sex, the F.E.V. and F.V.C. measured at the beginning of the shift were used to assess the long-term effects of hemp dust on the ventilatory function of the lung. The age-adjusted ratio F.E.V./F.V.C. was also used. A comparison between the control group and the seven exposed groups showed no meaningful association between ventilatory function and present levels of dust exposure, but byssinotics with chronic bronchitis had a mean age-adjusted F.E.V./F.V.C. ratio significantly lower than that of workers with neither disease (P<0·05). Acute effects of hemp dust, measured by the change in F.E.V. and F.V.C. during the shift, were considerable. There were marked reductions in the mean F.E.V. and F.V.C. during the shift in all the occupational groups exposed to high concentrations of dust. Byssinotics with chronic bronchitis had a significantly greater mean decrease in F.E.V. during the shift than the byssinotics without chronic bronchitis, and the workers with neither disease (P<0·02). There is no doubt that the dust of hemp can cause byssinosis and at least temporary impairment of ventilatory function, varying in severity according to the level of dust exposure and the presence of respiratory disease.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bronchitis; Cannabis; Chronic Disease; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Pneumoconiosis; Smoking; Spirometry; Textiles; Time Factors; Yugoslavia
PubMed: 5663421
DOI: 10.1136/oem.25.3.176 -
Indian Journal of Occupational and... 2018Byssinosis is an acute respiratory difficulty that is caused usually following exposure to cotton and hemp dust. Occurrence of such similar acute symptoms had been...
BACKGROUND
Byssinosis is an acute respiratory difficulty that is caused usually following exposure to cotton and hemp dust. Occurrence of such similar acute symptoms had been reported following exposure to jute dust/fiber also. With passage of time, Jute industries have modernized themselves for increased quality and productivity, which has lessened workforce and thereby provided more working space. However, occupational health benefit due to such changes has rarely been explored. This study was initiated to understand whether this modernization can protect the health of workers.
METHODOLOGY
This study was carried out in two jute mills manufacturing jute clothes, jute bags, and so on. Interview of the workers for their occupational and morbidity details, medical examinations, as well as pre-shift and post-shift pulmonary function tests was carried out.
RESULTS
It was observed that chest tightness was significantly more in the industry with old technologies. Breathlessness was also more in this industry. As far as pulmonary function status is concerned, it was noted that greater than 5% cross-shift change in forced expiratory volume in one second was more common in the industry with old technology. Obstructive feature on lung function test was also observed in workers of both industries.
CONCLUSION
The study concluded that exposure to jute dust has contributed to both acute and chronic respiratory health effects in the jute industry workers. Modernized industry showed lesser prevalence of acute symptoms and changes related to byssinosis. Modernization of processes in jute industries may prove fruitful in lowering the respiratory problems of workers.
PubMed: 30647520
DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_117_18 -
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian... 2017Cotton industry workers are exposed to various hazards in the different departments of textile factories. The major health problems associated with cotton dust are...
BACKGROUND
Cotton industry workers are exposed to various hazards in the different departments of textile factories. The major health problems associated with cotton dust are respiratory problems, byssinosis, bronchitis and asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of cotton dust exposure on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at cotton mill in the Ahmedabad city.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred cotton mill workers of the weaving and spinning area participated in this study while 100 age- and gender-matched male subjects living in the residential area served as the control group. A questionnaire was used to inquire about respiratory symptoms and spirometry was done in both the groups.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED
Student's -test was used to find the difference between spirometric parameters, and Chi-square test was used to find the difference between respiratory symptoms.
RESULTS
Respiratory symptoms were statistically significantly more common in the cotton mill workers compared to control group. Cotton mill workers group also showed significant ( < 0.0001) decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), ratio of FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow rate, and no significant difference of FVC between groups. There was an association of duration of exposure and symptoms with spirometric abnormality.
CONCLUSION
Cotton mill workers showed a significant decrease in spirometric parameters and increase in respiratory symptoms. As the duration of exposure and symptoms increased, spirometric abnormality increased.
PubMed: 28360462
DOI: 10.4103/0970-2113.201319 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Apr 1992
Topics: Byssinosis; Cameroon; China; Developing Countries; Egypt; Ethiopia; Humans; India; Prevalence; South Africa; Sudan
PubMed: 1571290
DOI: 10.1136/oem.49.4.217 -
American Journal of Public Health Feb 1983
Topics: Byssinosis; Humans; Textile Industry; United States
PubMed: 6849470
DOI: 10.2105/ajph.73.2.137 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Feb 1983ABSTRACT The relationship between serum concentrations of total IgE and byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms was evaluated in 352 textile workers (90 men, 262...
ABSTRACT The relationship between serum concentrations of total IgE and byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms was evaluated in 352 textile workers (90 men, 262 women) at a cotton mill in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. The subjects were aged from 20 to 61 (mean 44) and the mean duration of employment was 20 years. One hundred and eight subjects (30·7%) were smokers. Only 2% had a positive history of atopy. A standardised questionnaire showed chronic bronchitis in 96 textile workers (27·3%) and byssinosis in 63 (17·9%). The prevalence of respiratory disorders was the same for men and women but was higher in the carding room than in other work areas. Total serum IgE concentrations (RIST, Phadebas) were analysed after log transformation. The geometric mean was 192·7 IU/ml, with no significant difference between the two sexes. This mean concentration of IgE is much higher than that reported internationally for non-atopic subjects, but similar to values found in the Italian population. The IgE concentrations of the workers in the main departments (carding, spinning, and weaving) showed no significant difference. The geometric means were not different in subsamples stratified according to respiratory diseases (cases of pure and cases of mixed forms of chronic bronchitis and byssinosis). A negative result was obtained when IgE concentrations of 289 subjects without byssinosis (¯x = 188·4 IU/ml) and 63 with byssinosis (¯x = 212·6 IU/ml) were compared; there was also no trend when the results were analysed by clinical grade of byssinosis. The same negative pattern occured when the serum IgE concentrations were examined in patients with byssinosis with different grades of chronic change in FEV. The results of this study support the hypothesis that there is no relationship between total serum IgE concentrations and byssinosis.
Topics: Adult; Bronchitis; Byssinosis; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Gossypium; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Italy; Lung; Male; Middle Aged; Respiration; Textile Industry
PubMed: 6824598
DOI: 10.1136/oem.40.1.39 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Oct 1963Previous evidence suggested that byssinosis in flax workers is caused by the inhalation of dust of biologically retted flax. In the present study no cases of byssinosis...
Previous evidence suggested that byssinosis in flax workers is caused by the inhalation of dust of biologically retted flax. In the present study no cases of byssinosis were found among workers in a flax plant which produces yarn by chemical degumming instead of biological retting. The absence of byssinosis in this plant could not be attributed to differences in the quantities of dust developed as compared with the conventional retting procedure. These findings support the view that the agent in flax dust which causes symptoms of byssinosis originates during biological retting of flax and is absent from unretted flax. Chemical degumming of flax appears to be superior to biological retting procedures with respect to the health of the workers.
Topics: Byssinosis; Flax; Humans; Pneumoconiosis; Prevalence; Textile Industry
PubMed: 14072625
DOI: 10.1136/oem.20.4.320