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The International Journal of... Jul 2018Cotton dust exposure among textile mill workers lead to impaired lung function. However, only few studies have investigated the dose-response relationship between cotton...
BACKGROUND
Cotton dust exposure among textile mill workers lead to impaired lung function. However, only few studies have investigated the dose-response relationship between cotton dust and lung function.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the dose-response relationship between cotton dust exposure and lung function among textile workers.
METHODS
This cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2016 and included 303 adult male textile workers from spinning and weaving sections of 5 mills in Karachi, Pakistan. We collected data through a translated version of the American Thoracic Society respiratory questionnaire (ATS-DLD-78A) and using spirometry. Mill-level airborne cotton dust was measured over an 8-12-hour shift through UCB-PATS (University of California, Berkeley-Particle, and Temperature Monitoring System). Multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between cotton dust exposure and lung function assessed through the 3 indices: forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and their ratio (FEV/FVC).
RESULTS
The mean age of the workers was 32.5 (SD 10.5) years. The mean spirometry indices expressed in percent predicted values were FEV 82.6 (SD 14.0); FVC 90.3 (14.7), and FEV/FVC 94.9 (10.5). The median cotton dust concentration was 0.61 (IQR 0.2 to 1.3) mg/m. The frequency of respiratory symptoms was 15% for cough, 20% for phlegm, and 20% for wheezing. After adjustment for covariates, every mg/m increase in dust concentration was associated with 5.4% decline in FEV.
CONCLUSION
This study quantifies the exposure-dependent relationship between cotton dust and lung function; which has implications for regulations and standards in the textile industry in Pakistan and similar cotton-processing countries.
Topics: Adult; Cotton Fiber; Cough; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dust; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Male; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pakistan; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Sounds; Spirometry; Surveys and Questionnaires; Textile Industry; Vital Capacity; Workforce; Young Adult
PubMed: 29995017
DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2018.1191 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Apr 1967In a mill spinning coarse cotton the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms, and the F.E.V., were measured in a group of 29 men and 117 women employed...
In a mill spinning coarse cotton the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms, and the F.E.V., were measured in a group of 29 men and 117 women employed in the winding room. All the men and 95% of the women at risk were included. Dust concentrations, measured with a modified Hexhlet at various work points in the winding room, ranged from 1·65 to 6·05 mg./m. total dust. These concentrations are higher than 1·0 mg./m., which is the threshold limit value for cotton dust recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The mean dust concentration was 3·48 mg./m. compared with 2·85 mg./m. in the card room of the same mill. The prevalence of byssinosis was 18·8% among the women and 13·8% among the men. A comparison among the women showed that those with symptoms of byssinosis had, on the average, significantly lower F.E.V.s than women of similar age without such symptoms. Four women and one man with moderately severe symptoms of byssinosis showed evidence of permanent respiratory disability with effort intolerance and a substantial diminution in F.E.V.. Further studies should be carried out in other winding rooms because, if these findings are repeated elsewhere, they would indicate the necessity for medical surveillance, dust control, and extending the compensation scheme to include winding room workers.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Gossypium; Humans; Middle Aged; Pneumoconiosis
PubMed: 6023077
DOI: 10.1136/oem.24.2.123 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Jan 1996This survey was conducted to investigate current lung function levels in operatives working with cotton and man made fibres. Dust concentrations, smoking history, and...
OBJECTIVES
This survey was conducted to investigate current lung function levels in operatives working with cotton and man made fibres. Dust concentrations, smoking history, and occupational details were recorded so that factors influencing lung function could be identified.
METHODS
A cross sectional study of respiratory symptoms and lung function was made in 1057 textile spinning operatives of white caucasian extraction. This represented 96.9% of the total available working population to be studied. Most (713) worked currently with cotton. The remainder worked with man made fibre. Lung function was assessed by measuring forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Exposure to cotton dust was measured in the work area and personal breathing zones, and retrospective exposure to cotton dust over a working life was estimated with accurate work history and best available hygiene data.
RESULTS
3.5% of all operatives had byssinosis, 55 (5.3%) chronic bronchitis, 36 (3.5%) work related persistent cough, 55 (5.3%) non-byssinotic work related chest tightness, and 56 (5.3%) work related wheeze. A total of 212 static work area dust samples (range 0.04-3.23 mg/m3) and 213 personal breathing zone samples (range 0.14-24.95 mg/m3) were collected. Percentage of predicted FEV1 was reduced in current smokers (mean 89.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 88-91) in comparison with non-smokers (93.1, 90.5-94.1) and FVC was reduced in operatives currently working with man made fibre (95.3, 93.8-96.9) in comparison with cotton (97.8, 96.6-99.0). Regression analysis identified smoking (P < 0.01), increasing age (P < 0.01), increasing time worked in the waste room (P < 0.01), and male sex (P < 0.05) as being associated with a lower FEV1 and FVC. Current and retrospective cotton dust exposures did not appear as predictor variables in the regression analysis although in a univariate analysis, FEV1 was reduced in those operatives exposed to high dust concentrations assessed by personal and work area sampling.
DISCUSSION
This study has documented loss of lung function in association with exposure to cotton dust. Those operatives with work related symptoms had significantly lower FEV1 and FVC than asymptomatic workers. Although lung function seemed to be affected by high dust exposures when operatives were stratified into high and low exposure groups, regression analysis did not identify current dust concentrations as an independent factor influencing loss. Smoking habit was found to explain most of the measured change in FEV1 and FVC. It is likely that smoking and dust exposure interact to cause loss of lung function in cotton textile workers.
Topics: Adult; Byssinosis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dust; England; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Occupational Diseases; Respiratory Function Tests; Textile Industry; Textiles
PubMed: 8563857
DOI: 10.1136/oem.53.1.46 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Jan 197325-36. A prospective study of workers in 14 cotton and two man-made fibre spinning mills in Lancashire was carried out over a three-year period. A questionnaire on...
25-36. A prospective study of workers in 14 cotton and two man-made fibre spinning mills in Lancashire was carried out over a three-year period. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was completed at the start of the survey and again two years later. Up to six measurements of ventilatory capacity were made at six-monthly intervals. From these measurements the rate at which the forced expiratory volume (FEV) was declining (annual decline in FEV) was evaluated for 595 subjects. Six of the mills were visited on Mondays and in 199 operatives the ventilatory capacity was measured at both the beginning and end of the shift to evaluate its acute fall during work (Monday fall in FEV). The mean annual decline in FEV for cotton workers was 54 ml/year and it was only 32 ml/year for workers in the man-made fibre mills but this lower value was attributable almost entirely to one of the two mills. For the jobs near the carding engines the annual decline was 22 ml/year higher than for speed-frame tenters. The annual decline for cigarette smokers was 19 ml/year greater than for non- and ex-smokers. The annual decline in FEV was not found to be related to symptoms of byssinosis or bronchitis, nor to present dust levels, bioactivity of the dust or air pollution, although the expected effect attributable to byssinosis turned out to be less than that which the survey was designed to detect. The mean Monday fall in FEV was higher in cotton mills than in man-made fibre mills among those without symptoms of byssinosis and was correlated with present dust levels. For those with symptoms of byssinosis an increased Monday fall was found only in those processing coarse cotton. For those subjects who completed the respiratory questionnaire on two occasions the chronic and acute changes in FEV were examined in relation to the change in symptoms of byssinosis. No association was found for annual decline in FEV but the Monday fall in FEV was greater for those who developed byssinosis during the survey than for those who remained free of symptoms, and was less for those who lost their symptoms than for those who retained them.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Air Pollution; Bronchitis; Byssinosis; Chronic Disease; Dust; England; Female; Gossypium; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumoconiosis; Prospective Studies; Respiration; Smoking; Spirometry; Textile Industry
PubMed: 4685297
DOI: 10.1136/oem.30.1.25 -
Infection and Immunity Dec 1980Experiments were performed to evaluate the in vitro effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on viability and function of human alveolar macrophages. Alveolar...
Experiments were performed to evaluate the in vitro effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on viability and function of human alveolar macrophages. Alveolar macrophages were obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy and saline bronchial lavage from 12 normal, nonsmoking volunteers. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of E. coli endotoxin for 1 and 24 h. Endotoxin (10 microgram/ml and more) was cytotoxic for alveolar macrophages after 24 h of incubation and induced significant inhibition of phagocytosis, adherence, and spreading. The effects of endotoxin on alveolar macrophage viability and function were dose and time dependent and were not influenced by indomethacin. Thus, human alveolar macrophages, like other mononuclear phagocytes, are extremely sensitive to endotoxin effects; these observations may be relevant in conditions in which endotoxin may be in contact with alveolar macrophages in vivo: endobronchial infections with gram-negative organisms, byssinosis, chronic bronchitis of grain handles, and humidifier fever.
Topics: Adult; Bacterial Toxins; Endotoxins; Escherichia coli; Humans; Indomethacin; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Phagocytosis; Pulmonary Alveoli; Salmonella typhimurium; Time Factors
PubMed: 7014447
DOI: 10.1128/iai.30.3.753-758.1980 -
Thorax Jan 1997Exposure to cotton is known to produce a specific occupational disease known as byssinosis. A large population of textile workers was investigated to determine whether...
BACKGROUND
Exposure to cotton is known to produce a specific occupational disease known as byssinosis. A large population of textile workers was investigated to determine whether such exposure was also associated with chronic bronchitis once other possible aetiological factors had been accounted for.
METHODS
A total of 2991 workers were investigated for the presence of symptoms compatible with chronic bronchitis. An MRC adapted respiratory questionnaire and MRC definition of chronic bronchitis were used for diagnostic labelling. Current and lifetime exposure to dust was estimated by personal and work area sampling, and the use of records of retrospective dust levels previously measured over the preceding 10 years. Airborne endotoxin exposure was measured using a quantitative turbidometric assay. Lung function tests were performed to measure forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). A control group of workers exposed to man-made fibre textiles was identified. The comparative prevalence of chronic bronchitis in the two populations was assessed, allowing for sex, age, smoking habit, and ethnic origin. Two case referent studies were also performed; cases of chronic bronchitis were separately matched with controls from the cotton and control populations to determine the effect of the symptomatic state on lung function.
RESULTS
After controlling for smoking (pack years), workers in a cotton environment were significantly more likely to suffer from chronic bronchitis and this was most marked in workers over 45 years of age (odds ratio 2.51 (CI 1.3 to 4.9); p < 0.01). Regression analysis of all possible influencing parameters showed that cumulative exposure to cotton dust was significantly associated with chronic bronchitis after the effects of age, sex, smoking, and ethnic group were accounted for (p < 0.0005). In the intra-cotton population case control study a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis was associated with a small decrement in lung function compared with controls: percentage predicted FEV1 in cases 81.4% (95% CI 78.3 to 84.6), controls 86.7% (84.9 to 88.5); FVC in cases 89.9% (95% CI 87.0 to 92.9), controls 94.6% (92.8 to 96.4). After controlling for cumulative past exposure and pack years of smoking the effect of the diagnostic state remained significant for both FEV1 (p < 0.01) and FVC (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Chronic bronchitis is more prevalent in cotton workers than in those working with man-made fibre and exposure is additive to the effect of smoking. The diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is associated with a small but significant decrement in lung function.
Topics: Adult; Age Distribution; Bronchitis; Case-Control Studies; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gossypium; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Respiratory Mechanics; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Smoking; Textile Industry
PubMed: 9039235
DOI: 10.1136/thx.52.1.22 -
The National Medical Journal of India 1995Till a national campaign against dust-related lung diseases was launched by a voluntary agency in Ahmedabad in 1992, government records for the 150-year-old textile...
BACKGROUND
Till a national campaign against dust-related lung diseases was launched by a voluntary agency in Ahmedabad in 1992, government records for the 150-year-old textile industry showed no cases of byssinosis--the disabling occupational disease caused by cotton dust. The worldwide incidence of byssinosis among workers in the dusty sections of textile mills is nearly 40%. We assessed the prevalence of byssinosis in a Bombay mill so that the Employees State Insurance Scheme would start conducting medical checks in all the 55 textile mills in Bombay and officially recognize the disease.
METHODS
The study was conducted under the auspices of the Occupational Health and Safety Centre, a voluntary organization. Textile workers were called to a camp conducted over 3 nights and 3 days. We asked them to answer a questionnaire and tested their lung function using a Wright's ventilometer. The diagnosis of byssinosis was made if there was a feeling of chest tightness on exposure to cotton dust, and if the FEV1 was less than 60% of the expected result or the FEV1/FVC was less than 75%.
RESULTS
Of the total 1075 workers in the mill only 273 came to the camp; 54 (30%) of the 179 individuals working in the dusty sections of the mill had byssinosis. In the non-dusty departments, 16 (17%) out of the 94 workers were affected. Among those working for less than 10 years in textile mills, 24% had byssinosis and among those working for more than 30 years, 45% had the disease.
CONCLUSION
We found a prevalence of byssinosis among textile workers which is similar to that reported worldwide. The disease affected those who worked in both the dusty and non-dusty sections of the mill. There are an estimated 40,000 affected workers in Bombay and we suggest that the disease be recognized by the Employees State Insurance Scheme, and that the textile mill workers be compensated if they are affected by byssinosis.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Byssinosis; Female; Humans; India; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Prevalence; Textile Industry
PubMed: 7549849
DOI: No ID Found -
Environmental Health Perspectives Apr 1986New Zealand White rabbits were acutely bronchochallenged for 5 min to ascertain airway responsiveness with six potential byssinogenic agents and mediators: 0.1 g/mL... (Review)
Review
New Zealand White rabbits were acutely bronchochallenged for 5 min to ascertain airway responsiveness with six potential byssinogenic agents and mediators: 0.1 g/mL cotton dust extract (CDE), 0.1 g/mL cotton bract extract (CBE), 1 mg/mL endotoxin, 1 mg/mL n-formyl methionyl peptide (n-fMet), 10 mg/mL 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 1 mg/mL prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). Methacholine (MC), 10 mg/mL, was used as a control bronchoconstrictor. Clinically objective criteria were established using increases in resistance values compared to those obtained with saline controls. Animals were classified as: mild responders (Mi) = 125-149%; moderate responders (Mo) = 150-199%; or severe responders (S) = greater than 200%. Three of five (2Mo, 1S) rabbits showed increased pulmonary resistance to CDE bronchochallenge, 3/5 (1Mi, 1Mo, 1S) to CBE, 1/5 (Mo) to purified endotoxin, 4/5 (1Mo, 3S) to n-fMet, 3/5 (1Mi, 1Mo, 1S) to 5-HT, and 2/5 (1Mo, 1S) to PGF2 alpha. All five rabbits (1Mo, 4S) responded to MC bronchochallenge. Rabbits responded minimally to saline, the common solvent of all test agents; however, when challenged with methacholine, a known bronchoconstrictor, rabbits showed significant overt symptoms of acute respiratory distress with immediate and substantial increases in resistance over saline controls. CDE, CBE, and n-fMet inhalation challenge resulted in a majority or all animals showing increased resistance. 5-HT contained in CDE and CBE, exhibited similar resistance increases; however, endotoxin, also found in cotton dust, showed little airway reactivity. The rabbit is useful for characterizing changes in pulmonary function parameters seen in the acute byssinotic reaction. This study has demonstrated that bronchochallenge in the rabbit with potential byssinogenic agents (CDE, CBE, endotoxin, and n-fMet) and mediators (5-HT and PGF2 alpha) result in measurable changes in airway function, particularly increased resistance. Since bronchoconstriction is the major clinical manifestation of the acute byssinotic reaction in man and animals, it is likely that bronchoconstriction observed in cotton mill workers may be in part or totally the result of inherent dust constrictor substances or secondarily released mediators.
Topics: Airway Resistance; Animals; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Byssinosis; Dinoprost; Dust; Endotoxins; Female; Gossypium; N-Formylmethionine; Prostaglandins F; Rabbits; Respiratory Function Tests; Serotonin
PubMed: 3519204
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.866661 -
Industrial Health Jul 2003Although byssinosis in jute mill workers remains controversial, studies in a few jute mills in West-Bengal, India, revealed typical byssinotic syndrome associated with...
Although byssinosis in jute mill workers remains controversial, studies in a few jute mills in West-Bengal, India, revealed typical byssinotic syndrome associated with acute changes in FEV1 on the first working day after rest. The present study on 148 jute mill workers is reported to confirm the occurrence of byssinosis in jute mill workers. Work related respiratory symptoms; acute and chronic pulmonary function changes among exposed workers were studied on the basis of standard questionnaire and spirometric method along with dust level, particle mass size distributions and gram-negative bacterial endotoxins. The pulmonary function test (PFT) changes were defined as per the recommendation of World Health Organization and of Bouhys et al. Total dust in jute mill air were monitored by high volume sampling, technique (Staplex, USA), Andersen cascade impactor was used for particle size distribution and personal exposure level was determined by personal sampler (Casella, London). Endotoxin in airborne jute dust was analysed by Lymulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) "Gel Clot" technique. Batching is the dustiest process in the mill. Size distribution showed that about 70-80% dust in diameter of < 10 microm, 40-50%, < 5 microm and 10-20%, < 2 microm. Mean endotoxin levels found in hatching, spinning and weaving, and beaming were 2.319 microg/m3, 0.956 microg/ m3, 0.041 microg/m3 respectively and are comparable to the values obtained up to date in Indian cotton mills. Respiratory morbidity study reported typical byssinotic symptoms along with acute post shift FEV1 changes (31.8%) and chronic changes in FEV1 (43.2%) among exposed workers. The group with higher exposure showed significantly lower FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75% values. The study confirmed the findings of the earlier studies and clearly indicated that the Indian jute mill workers are also suffering from byssinosis as observed in cotton, flask and hemp workers.
Topics: Acute Disease; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Byssinosis; Chronic Disease; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; India; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Random Allocation
PubMed: 12916758
DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.41.265 -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Apr 1962An epidemiological investigation in 11 ginneries representing the ginning industry in Egypt demonstrated the existence of byssinosis among 38·4% of the workers. Studies...
An epidemiological investigation in 11 ginneries representing the ginning industry in Egypt demonstrated the existence of byssinosis among 38·4% of the workers. Studies of two pressing plants and two card-rooms in Alexandria showed a prevalence of byssinosis of 52·6% and 26·6% respectively. The ages of those exposed and the duration of exposure were considered in relation to the prevalence of byssinosis, and it appears that a short duration of exposure in ginning may result in early manifestations of byssinosis at a relatively young age. The interruption of exposure due to seasonal activity in ginning and partially in pressing resulted in a higher proportion of workers with the early stages of the disease. This contrasted with results in carding where exposure is continuous, and a higher proportion of workers have later stages of the disease. This suggests a delay in the progress of the disease due to periodic interruption of exposure. The comparison between the prevalence of byssinosis and that of chronic bronchitis has shown that these diseases are not necessarily associated, although additional stress due to dust exposure in chronic bronchitis is not denied.
Topics: Byssinosis; Cotton Fiber; Egypt; Humans; Industry; Pneumoconiosis; Textile Industry
PubMed: 13875361
DOI: 10.1136/oem.19.2.126