Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers

Abstract

Our study investigated a group of 216 wool textile workers (158 women and 58 men). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire in wool textile workers and in 130 not exposed (control) workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on Monday before and after the work shift. Forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were measured on the MEFV curves. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls, being the highest in wool workers for nasal catarrh (M: 63.8%; F: 44.9%) and for sinusitis (M: 62.1%; F: 43.0%). A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift, was also noted in wool workers. Exposure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 1.4% for FEV1 to 9.1% for FEF50. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the workplace had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF50 and FEF25 were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. Our data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.

Immunological and respiratory changes in tobacco workers

“…The prevalence of occupational asthma in female tobacco workers (7.2%) was similar to that reported in other occupational groups exposed to organic dusts associated with airway disease such as textile workers [Zuskin et al, 1990[Zuskin et al, , 1996 and food processing workers [Zuskin et al, 1988a[Zuskin et al, ,b, 1992. Huuskonen et al [1984] suggested that exposure to spores of different molds in the manufacture of tobacco products may induce symptoms and signs relating to extrinsic allergic alveolitis.…”

Chronic rhinosinusitis and occupational risk factors among 20‐ to 75‐year‐old Danes—A GA2LEN‐based study

“…The results therefore resemble our results in this area. The effect of occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and gasses on the prevalence of rhinosinusitis has been addressed by others by comparing prevalence of rhinosinusitis in traditional “high exposure” occupations such as spice factory workers [Zuskin et al, 1988], paper‐recycling workers [Zuskin et al, 1998], cement factory workers [Al‐Neaimi et al, 2001] and wool textile workers [Zuskin et al, 1995] to the rhinosinusitis prevalence in “low exposure” occupations such as fruit‐bottling workers, packers in food industry, health examiners and delivery workers, respectively. Results of this comparison revealed, in accordance with our findings, significantly higher rhinosinusitis prevalence among “high exposure” workers.…”

An ergonomic study of women workers in a woolen textile factory for identification of health-related problems

“…Other than musculo-skeletal problems, there is also a risk of development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. [5] Also studies are rare with respect to respiratory problems in women in spinning section of the woolen industry, hence the need was felt to investigate the respiratory functions in women working in such type of unit.…”