Respiratory changes in two groups of flax workers with different exposure pattern

Abstract

Zuskin, E., and Valic, F. (1973). Thorax, 28,[579][580][581][582][583] Respiratory changes in two groups of flax workers with different exposure pattern. A high mean total concentration of flax particles (16-9 mg/m3), of which about 20% were of respirable size, caused a high prevalence of byssinosis (69-9 %) in 55 non-smoking female workers exposed to biologically retted flax over an average period of 11 years. iA significant mean FEVy.o decrease over the first work shift after the weekend break was recorded in both byssinotics and non-byssinotics but was more pronounced in the former. The mean acute FEVL.0 reductions over a work shift were smaller on the third than on the first day in the week.Significant decreases in FEV1.o and in maximum expiratory flow rate at 50 % of vital capacity over the Monday work shift were recorded in a group of 17 seasonal male workers who had been exposed to flax for only two to three months each year for no more than three years.

Respiratory response in simultaneous exposure to flax and hemp dust

“…The acute respiratory response of the subjects exposed to similar concentrations offlax and mixtures 1Valid and 2u §kin (1971) 22u §kin and Valid (1973).…”