Prevalence of byssinosis in Swedish cotton mills (original) (raw)
Related papers
Byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms among factory workers in Akaki textile factory, Ethiopia
Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2010
Background: Textile cotton workers are at risk for occupational lung disease, including Byssinosis and chronic Bronchitis. Byssinosis is primarily associated with exposure to cotton dust. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with byssinosis and respiratory symptoms among workers in cotton mills of Akaki textile factory. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 randomly selected factory workers. Information was collected through interview using the modified American Thoracic Society standard respiratory symptoms questionnaires. Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio were measured using portable medical spirometers. Area sampling for cotton dust concentration in the work environment was measured using Data RAM 4 real time measurement for 8 hours during a day shift. Results: The highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms was found in the carding section-cough 77%, phlegm 62%, chest tightness 46% and dyspnea 62%. The Overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 32%. Those working in the carding section appeared 13 times more likely to have chronic bronchitis compared to other sections (Adjusted OR=13.4, 95% CI 3.43-52.6). The prevalence of byssinosis was 38%; the highest being recorded in the carding section at 84.6%. High exposure to cotton dust was noted among those in the blowing and carding section at mean dust levels of 32.2 mg/m 3 and 8 mg/m 3 , respectively. About 11% of byssinotics developed severe chronic FEV1 changes. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a strong relationship between exposure to cotton dust and byssinosis and other respiratory impairments, which is mediated through chronic ventilator impairments. Preventive measures are warranted in order to reduce the high prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory disorders in textile manufacturing.
Prevalence of byssinosis and respiratory symptoms among spinners in sudanese cotton mills
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1987
Byssinosis, other respiratory symptoms, and ventilatory capacity were investigated in 186 male spinners in two Sudanese textile mills located in Khartoum and Hassaheisa. The prevalence of byssinosis was 37% among Khartoum spinners where coarse cotton was processed, significantly higher (p<0.01) than the 1% found among Hassaheisa spinners, where fine cotton was used. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 29% in Khartoum and 2% in Hassaheisa spinners. A significant reduction in forced expiratory volumes (FEV1 after a shift) was observed in spinners of both factories. Our findings provide evidence that very low rates or absence of byssinosis, related respiratory symptoms, and significant functional abnormalities (FEV1) in the late stages of cotton yarn processing all depend on the quality of cotton used and low levels of cotton dust concentration.
Assessing The Impact of Cotton Dust Exposure on Respiratory Health & Pulmonary Function: Comparative Study Among Cotton Mill Workers, 2023
Background: Ramazzini described a peculiar form of asthma among those who card flax and hemp. Byssinosis is the most common disease affecting the cotton textile workers; also symptoms like mill fever, weaver's cough. 1 Cotton workers are at risk for occupational lung disease, including byssinosis and chronic bronchitis 3. The present study was done to find out the effect of short term exposure, long term exposure to cotton dust in cotton mill workers & control group. Suggest precautions to prevent this. Objective: 1) To assess the impact of cotton dust exposure on respiratory health & pulmonary function among cotton mill workers. 2) To understand and compare the effect of short term and long term exposure groups to cotton dust with control group on pulmonary function tests in cotton mill workers. 3) To study the severity of respiratory symptoms occur in mill workers after short term and long term exposure to cotton dust and compare with control group. Methodology: The study is approved by institutional ethical committee and written consent of participant has been taken. In this study, 2 study groups of fifty workers exposed for short term duration exposure, for long term duration exposure each and third group of fifty people not exposed to cotton dust (control group) were examined for PFTs of age 25-50 years. PFTs were carried out using spirometer. Results: The present study found that there is statistically significant difference in PFTs between the short term exposed group, long term exposed group and control group of 25-50 years' age. The difference in symptoms were more in long term exposure group than in short term exposure group and absent in control. Also there is statistically significant difference in PFTs amongst all. Discussion & conclusion: The results of the present study helped us to understand and compare the shortterm, long term exposure group and control group better and suggest workers to take precautions to avoid more subtle effects that can occur. INTRODUCTION: For nearly 300 years, work in textile industry has been recognized as, an occupational hazard. Cotton workers are at risk for occupational lung disease, including byssinosis and chronic bronchitis. The initial phase of byssinosis is characterized by acute reversible symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or cough, and is typically evident on the first day back to work after an absence of 48 h or more. These early symptoms are generally accompanied by reversible changes in pulmonary function (across-shift drops in FEV1). With continued exposure, the disease may progress to a stage in which symptoms are present throughout the work week and may eventually result in severe pulmonary disability. 3,4
The prevalence of byssinosis among cotton workers in the north of Benin
The international journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2014
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. To determine the respiratory effects of cotton dust exposure among cotton mill workers in Benin. 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...
Byssinosis: environmental and respiratory symptoms among textile workers in Sudan
International archives of …, 1986
This study has been carried out to investigate the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms among 311 Sudanese workers in different sections of the Khartoum Weaving and Spinning Company. The prevalence of byssinosis was 67% among blowers, 40% in carders and draw-frame workers, 42% in simplex workers and 37% in ring-frame workers. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis ranged between 29 to 47% in all groups. A significant fall in FEV1 was recorded in carders and draw- and ring-frame workers. There was also a statistically significant decrease in FVC after shift in all groups except in the ring-frame group. The result of the present study revealed that the prevalence of byssinosis was very high in mills processing coarse cotton. Application of control measures and the early detection of exposure effects will reduce the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory impairments.
Inquiry into Occurrence of Byssinosis in Jute Mill Workers
Journal of Occupational Health, 1999
Inquiry into Occurrence of Byssinosis in Jute Mill Workers: B.P. CHATTOPADHYAY, et al. Regional Occupational Health Center E-An epidemiological study was carried out on 196 jute mill workers to inquire into the occurrence of byssinosis and to study the pattern of pre-shift and post-shift changes in ventilatory functions during the working week. The respiratory symptoms were recorded in a questionnaire based on the definition of byssinosis. The pulmonary function tests (PFT) were done by means of a dry wedge bellows spirometer, Vitalograph. On each day, the PFT of the workers were done twice, i.e., half an hour before the beginning of work (pre-shift record), and after five hours of work (post-shift record) on six consecutive working days. In the present communication mainly the PFT results for the first working day are reported. The acute and chronic changes in ventilatory function were defined as recommended by the World Health Organization. Typical symptoms of byssinosis such as chest tightness and difficulty in breathing on the first day of the week (Monday) after a weekend rest were found in 18 (9.18%) workers. Another group of 28 (14.28%) workers complained of chest tightness and breathlessness after work on days other than Monday. This group of workers was referred to as having "atypical byssinosis". A significant fall (post shift fall in FEV 1 , 5% and more than the pre shift FEV 1.0 value) was observed in 70 (35.71%) workers and chronic changes in FEV 1.0 in 62 (31.63%) workers, respectively. It is concluded that the jute mill workers suffer from a specific respiratory morbidity which resemble the byssinosis observed in cotton, flax and hemp workers.
Respiratory problems among cotton textile workers
Lung India, 2016
It is considered that acute response is reversible after short-term exposure, but chronic effects may result from prolonged exposure. [3-5] Noninvasive methods such as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) can be used for the assessment of respiratory disorders due to cotton dust exposure, but there is no consensus on the use of other methods such as high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the assessment of respiratory problems, however, the long-term effects of exposure to cotton dust using an accurate objective measurement is not well-understood. Background: Long term occupational exposure to cotton dust is associated with respiratory symptoms and loss of pulmonary function. Aim: This study was conducted to explore respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests and chest radiography of workers, and to evaluate the findings of high resolution computed tomographyand its correlation with pulmonary function tests (PFT). Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 cotton workers as exposed group and 100 unexposed subjects. Smokers were excluded from the study. All workers were interviewed and examined by the pulmonologist. PFT and chest radiography were conducted for all subjects. HRCT was performed for those with abnormal PFT or chest radiography. Results: A total of 51% and 31% of the cotton textile workers had one or more respiratory symptoms and respiratory signs respectively. 28% of subjects in the exposed group and 5% of subjects in unexposed group had obstructive pattern. Bronchia wall thickening and air trapping were the most frequent chest radiography and HRCT abnormalities respectively. There was a significant correlation between HRCT and the results of PFT. Conclusion: We conclude that long term exposure to cotton dust is associated with obstructive disease that increase with duration of exposure (history of working years), also use of HRCT as a sensitive tool in the assessment of pathologic changes and it's correlation with PFT, confirms the expected pathophysiology of airway obstruction in cotton workers.
Respiratory impairment in cotton-ginning workers exposed to cotton dust
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE, 2013
Dust generated during the handling and processing of cotton causes ill health of ginning workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among cotton-ginning workers. This study involved 188 workers of 10 cotton-ginning factories. Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) declined significantly with increasing duration of exposure (p < .001) of the cotton-ginning workers. Results of a standard respirator medical evaluation questionnaire indicated that, depending on duration of exposure, 51%-71% of cotton-ginning workers suffered from chest tightness, 55%-62% experienced chest pain, while 33%-42% of the workers reported frequent cough. Blood tests of the workers showed higher values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, eosinophils, and white blood cells when exposure was longer. Byssinosis symptoms were observed among the workers. We recommend regular periodical medical check-u...
Global Journal of Health Science, 2010
Background: Cotton and synthetic textile industry in India is the largest industry in the country accounting for 14 percent of industrial output and providing employment to around 35 million workers. The workers are at risk of suffering from various chronic respiratory illnesses like byssinosis, chronic bronchitis due to exposure to the cotton dust in the worksites. Even though quite a few studies have been conducted in textile mills in India enough emphasis has not been given on the epidemiological aspects of chronic respiratory illness among the workers in these mills. The present study was, therefore, undertaken with two fold objectives to determine prevalence of respiratory morbidities and to find out the epidemiological aspects of the respiratory morbidities in spinning mill workers. Methodology: A Cross sectional study was conducted among 462 cotton textile workers in Babashaheb Kedar Sut Girni Pvt. Ltd. of Central India. Interview technique was used to collect sociodemographic, anthropometric & addiction information on a predesigned proforma followed by detailed general and systemic examination. Results: Present study revealed that among 462 workers (25.3%) workers had chronic respiratory morbidities. The morbidities included Byssinosis (11.7 %), chronic bronchitis (5.8%), Bronchial asthma (4.5%), Tuberculosis (1.5%), other obstructive pulmonary diseases (1.7 %) All the workers were male and age ranged from 21-58 years. Majority of the workers 450 i.e (97.4 %) were literate and 437 (94.6%) belonged to class III & IV according to modified Kuppu swamy's classification. The spinning process was carried out in seven main sections. Majority of the workers belonged to ring frame section 217 (47%). The present study showed that 151 (32.7%) had cotton dust exposure for more than 20 years. Only masks were provided as protective devices and 191 (41.3%) of the workers were using it. Total 160 (34.7 %) workers were smokers. Conclusion: Advancing age, sections, duration of exposure, non usage of protective devices and smoking were seen as major determinants of chronic respiratory morbidities in spinning mill workers.