Cotton dust exposure: Analysis of pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms

Background: Exports of textiles and garments are the principal source of foreign exchange earnings in Bangladesh. Exports of textiles, clothing, and ready-made garments (RMG) account for 85% of Bangladesh’s total merchandise exports and provide employment to around 5 million workers. Workers of garment factories are susceptible to various respiratory morbid conditions, by virtue of workplace and working conditions and are at risk of suffering from various chronic respiratory illnesses. Early studies in textile workers throughout the world have focused on the relationship between hemp or cotton dust exposure and the development of a syndrome termed Byssinosis. Even though quite a few studies have been conducted in among garment workers in Bangladesh enough emphasis has not been given on the epidemiological aspects of chronic respiratory illnesses affecting pulmonary functions among the workers in these mills. Objective: The purpose of the study is to observe pulmonary function among garment workers in Bangladesh and compare it with unexposed population. Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted at cotton mill in Gazipur, Dhaka,Bangladesh. A control group was taken from BSMMU for the purpose of comparison. A modified questionnaire was used to inquire about socio demographic characteristics, socioeconomic history, complete occupational history, potential confounding factors, physical parameters and spirometry was done among workers. Results: There was significant association of pulmonary function FEV1, FVC, PEF with cotton dust exposure and a significant reduction of both FEV1 predicted 2.92±0.38 and observed 2.47±0.67 p<0.001 (paired t test) and PEF predicted 7.3%±1.10, observed 5.34±1.67, p<.001 (paired t test) was found among garment workers in comparison to non-exposed population group. Also female workers are more affected than male workers. No significant association of pulmonary function was found with the duration of exposure and distribution. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a significant association of pulmonary function in both long term and short term cotton exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed control group. There is a significant association of pulmonary function parameters (FEV1 and PEF) among female workers. It is justified to tell that cotton dust exposure has an effect on pulmonary function impairment. Keywords: Cotton dust, Garment workers, Pulmonary Function

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Occupational Exposure and Pulmonary Function of Workers of Carpet Industries and Sawmills, Lalitpur, Nepal

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v5i2.8951 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 54-58

Author(s):

PKL Das ◽

GB Nepal ◽

K Upadhyay-Dhungel ◽

R Panta ◽

A Bhaila ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Lung Diseases ◽

Medical Science ◽

Science Volume ◽

Wood Dust ◽

Cotton Dust ◽

Factory Workers ◽

Sawmill Workers

Background: Most workers of carpet factory and sawmills suffer from non-specific lung diseases and ventilatory disorders. There is so many such industries operative in Lalitpur district and so far not many studies have been reported on pulmonary function in these workers. Method: A brief clinical sheet regarding age, occupational particulars, smoking habits and presence or absence of major complaints was recorded for each worker. Spirometric parameters were recorded using an electronic (MEDSPIROR) spirometer. The groups consisted of control subjects not exposed to industrial dusts (n=50) for each group of workers (carpet factory, n=50 and saw mill, n=50). Result: This study indicated an overall reduction in pulmonary function parameters; in particular FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % in carpet factory workers and FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % in saw mill workers. Comparison of pulmonary function parameters between carpet factories workers and sawmill workers revealed a significant reduction in FEV1 and MVV in carpet workers. Conclusion: Exposure to cotton dust and wood dust leads to combined type of spirometric deficit revealing obstructive or restrictive lung diseases. Workers exposed to industrial dusts also suffer from various upper or lower respiratory symptoms. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.8951 Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 54-58

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Cotton Dust Exposure, Respiratory Symptoms and PEFR in Textile Workers

Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad) ◽

10.3923/jms.2006.458.462 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 458-462 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Ghasemkhan ◽

S. Firoozbakhsh . ◽

K. Azam . ◽

F. Ghardashi .

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Textile Workers ◽

Cotton Dust

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Respiratory symptoms and cotton dust exposure; results of a 15 year follow up observation

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oem.60.12.935 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 60 (12) ◽

pp. 935-941 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

X-R Wang

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Cotton Dust

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Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function and The Role of Interlukin-1Β in The Inflammatory Reaction among Workers at a Cement Factory in Cairo, Egypt

The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine ◽

10.21608/ejcm.2018.22999 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 77-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Function ◽

Inflammatory Reaction ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Cement Factory

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Impulse oscillometry for detection of small airway dysfunction in subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and preserved pulmonary function

Respiratory Research ◽

10.1186/s12931-021-01662-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Liang-Yuan Li ◽

Tian-Sheng Yan ◽

Jing Yang ◽

Yu-Qi Li ◽

Lin-Xi Fu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Function ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Early Stage ◽

Roc Curves ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Small Airway ◽

Impulse Oscillometry ◽

Additional Method ◽

Cutoff Values ◽

Higher Sensitivity

Abstract Background Subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and preserved pulmonary function (PPF) may have small airway dysfunction (SAD). As the most common means to detect SAD, spirometry needs good cooperation and its reliability is controversial. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) may complete the deficiency of spirometry and have higher sensitivity. We aimed to explore the diagnostic value of IOS to detect SAD in symptomatic subjects with PPF. Methods The evaluation of symptoms, spirometry and IOS results in 209 subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and PPF were assessed. ROC curves of IOS to detect SAD were analyzed. Results 209 subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and PPF were included. Subjects who reported sputum had higher R5–R20 and Fres than those who didn’t. Subjects with dyspnea had higher R5, R5–R20 and AX than those without. CAT and mMRC scores correlated better with IOS parameters than with spirometry. R5, R5–R20, AX and Fres in subjects with SAD (n = 42) significantly increased compared to those without. Cutoff values for IOS parameters to detect SAD were 0.30 kPa/L s for R5, 0.015 kPa/L s for R5–R20, 0.30 kPa/L for AX and 11.23 Hz for Fres. Fres has the largest AUC (0.665, P = 0.001) among these parameters. Compared with spirometry, prevalence of SAD was higher when measured with IOS. R5 could detect the most SAD subjects with a prevalence of 60.77% and a sensitivity of 81% (AUC = 0.659, P = 0.002). Conclusion IOS is more sensitive to detect SAD than spirometry in subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and PPF, and it correlates better with symptoms. IOS could be an additional method for SAD detection in the early stage of diseases.

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