Chronic bronchitis in textile workers

Abstract

Abstractsignificant for both FEV 1 (p<0.01) and FVC (p<0.05). Background -Exposure to cotton is knownConclusions -Chronic bronchitis is more to produce a specific occupational disease prevalent in cotton workers than in those known as byssinosis. A large population of working with man-made fibre and extextile workers was investigated to deterposure is additive to the effect of smoking. mine whether such exposure was also asThe diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is associated with chronic bronchitis once sociated with a small but significant decreother possible aetiological factors had been ment in lung function. accounted for. (Thorax 1997;52:22-27) Methods -A total of 2991 workers were investigated for the presence of symptoms Keywords: cotton, man-made fibre, chronic bronchitis, smoking, lung function. compatible with chronic bronchitis. An MRC adapted respiratory questionnaire Chronic bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory and MRC definition of chronic bronchitis system related to cigarette smoking. It is charwere used for diagnostic labelling. Current acterised by the presence of a cough with spuand lifetime exposure to dust was estum production which is chronic and persistent. timated by personal and work area It has been described as such and can be sampling, and the use of records of retro-investigated using questionnaire techniques in spective dust levels previously measured epidemiological studies. It has recently been accepted that chronic endotoxin exposure was measured using bronchitis may occur more commonly in some a quantitative turbidometric assay. Lung occupational groups, notably coal mining. 2 function tests were performed to measure There is also some evidence to suggest that forced expiratory volume in one second there may be an excess of disease in foundry (FEV 1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC). A workers 3 and steel workers. 4 The study of these control group of workers exposed to man-working populations has been made more difficult because of the confounding effect of made fibre textiles was identified. The smoking which remains clearly the most imcomparative prevalence of chronic bronportant aetiological factor. In the occupational chitis in the two populations was assessed, groups where chronic bronchitis may occur as allowing for sex, age, smoking habit, and a result of industrial exposure to dust, smoking ethnic origin. Two case referent studies is prevalent among the work force and idenwere also performed; cases of chronic tifying sufficient numbers of workers who are bronchitis were separately matched with lifelong non-smokers is difficult. Until smoking controls from the cotton and control popu-is adequately accounted for it is impossible to lations to determine the effect of the symp-ascribe aetiological roles to occupational factors tomatic state on lung function.in the occurrence of bronchitis. Results -After controlling for smokingWe have studied nearly 3000 workers on (pack years), workers in a cotton en-their first entry into a five year longitudinal vironment were sig...

Additive Effect of Smoking and Cotton Dust Exposure on Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function of Cotton Textile Workers

“…Smoking potentiated the effect of cotton dust exposure on respiratory symptoms and byssinosis. The additive effect of smoking on cotton dust exposure was compatible with several studies reported in several countries 5,[20][21][22][23][24] . This study showed that the frequency of workers with lung function impairment was not significantly different between the first and the second study group, either in smokers (59.5% vs. 52.8%) or in nonsmokers (31.5% vs. 35.3%).…”

Respiratory Effects of Chronic Animal Feed Dust Exposure

“…Changes in lung function have been reported in farmers 23) , textile workers 4) , cocoa workers 24) , fur workers 25) and spice factory workers 26) . In our study, however, the chronic effect of animal feed dust was investigated so we applied the PFTs only once to the workers.…”

“…There is increasing evidence of the deleterious effects of organic dust on respiratory functions in exposed workers [1][2][3][4][5] . Animal feed dust is a complex organic dust composed mainly of grain (corn, wheat, barley, rye, oats), residues of crushed seeds, waste products from the food industry (corn bran, wheat bran), fats, molasses, vitamins and minerals.…”

“…The main exposures that attracted scientific attention were cotton and grain dust and their constituents 4,16,19,20) . There is limited evidence of respiratory effects due to animal feed dust exposure.…”

“…The different syndromes or diseases caused by organic dust include hypersensitivity pneumonitis 11) , organic dust toxic syndrome 12,13) , occupational asthma 3) and bronchitis 4,14) . Less distinctive syndromes include mucous membrane irritation syndrome due to an exaggerated physiologic response and occupational simple chronic bronchitis.…”