Numerous studies have investigated the respiratory
health effects of exposure to cotton dust.1–5 The most
conspicuous effects of exposure are clinical symptoms
of bronchoconstriction together with a decline in expiratory
flow over the work-shift. Byssinosis, characterised by a
feeling of chest tightness on the first day of the working week
that improves as week progresses, has been used to describe
the acute and reversible response to exposure to cotton dust.
The disease, however, may progress to a stage in which
symptoms are present throughout the work week, and may
eventually result in severe pulmonary disability as exposure
continues.1 2
Previous cross sectional studies have reported a wide range
in the prevalence of byssinosis. Length of exposure, cumulative
or average dust concentration, past levels of dust
exposure, and the ‘‘mill effect’’ that may be caused by grade
of cotton, or degree of contamination with Gram negative
microorganisms, have all been identified as possible causes of
the development of byssinosis.3–8 Gender, age, and ethnic
group seem not to be important factors,9 although gender and
ethnicity may be associated with job and length of exposure.
In some studies, smoking was found to be an important
risk factor for byssinosis, but this has not been established
clearly. Exposure to cotton dust has also been reported
to be associated with chronic bronchitis, cough, and
dyspnoea, which are regarded as non-specific respiratory
symptoms.4 10 11
A limited number of longitudinal studies have assessed the
relation between long term exposure to cotton dust and
chronic changes in pulmonary function.12–15 Fewer data exist
with regard to the longitudinal occurrence of respiratory
symptoms among populations occupationally exposed to
cotton dust. The current 15 year prospective follow up study
was undertaken among a group of Chinese cotton textile
workers to provide additional information on the long term
respiratory effects of exposure to cotton dust. Significantly
accelerated chronic loss of pulmonary function in relation to
airborne endotoxin exposure level was identified in these
cotton workers.16 The present analysis concentrates on both
work specific and non-specific respiratory symptoms
observed during the 15 years. The aim is to examine the
incidence of respiratory symptoms occurring in these workers,
and to evaluate their associations with cotton dust and
endotoxin exposure, as well as cessation of exposure.
Numerous studies have investigated the respiratory
health effects of exposure to cotton dust.1–5 The most
conspicuous effects of exposure are clinical symptoms
of bronchoconstriction together with a decline in expiratory
flow over the work-shift. Byssinosis, characterised by a
feeling of chest tightness on the first day of the working week
that improves as week progresses, has been used to describe
the acute and reversible response to exposure to cotton dust.
The disease, however, may progress to a stage in which
symptoms are present throughout the work week, and may
eventually result in severe pulmonary disability as exposure
continues.1 2
Previous cross sectional studies have reported a wide range
in the prevalence of byssinosis. Length of exposure, cumulative
or average dust concentration, past levels of dust
exposure, and the ‘‘mill effect’’ that may be caused by grade
of cotton, or degree of contamination with Gram negative
microorganisms, have all been identified as possible causes of
the development of byssinosis.3–8 Gender, age, and ethnic
group seem not to be important factors,9 although gender and
ethnicity may be associated with job and length of exposure.
In some studies, smoking was found to be an important
risk factor for byssinosis, but this has not been established
clearly. Exposure to cotton dust has also been reported
to be associated with chronic bronchitis, cough, and
dyspnoea, which are regarded as non-specific respiratory
symptoms.4 10 11
A limited number of longitudinal studies have assessed the
relation between long term exposure to cotton dust and
chronic changes in pulmonary function.12–15 Fewer data exist
with regard to the longitudinal occurrence of respiratory
symptoms among populations occupationally exposed to
cotton dust. The current 15 year prospective follow up study
was undertaken among a group of Chinese cotton textile
workers to provide additional information on the long term
respiratory effects of exposure to cotton dust. Significantly
accelerated chronic loss of pulmonary function in relation to
airborne endotoxin exposure level was identified in these
cotton workers.16 The present analysis concentrates on both
work specific and non-specific respiratory symptoms
observed during the 15 years. The aim is to examine the
incidence of respiratory symptoms occurring in these workers,
and to evaluate their associations with cotton dust and
endotoxin exposure, as well as cessation of exposure.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
Numerous studies have investigated the respiratory
health effects of exposure to cotton dust.1–5 The most
conspicuous effects of exposure are clinical symptoms
of bronchoconstriction together with a decline in expiratory
flow over the work-shift. Byssinosis, characterised by a
feeling of chest tightness on the first day of the working week
that improves as week progresses, has been used to describe
the acute and reversible response to exposure to cotton dust.
The disease, however, may progress to a stage in which
symptoms are present throughout the work week, and may
eventually result in severe pulmonary disability as exposure
continues.1 2
Previous cross sectional studies have reported a wide range
in the prevalence of byssinosis. Length of exposure, cumulative
or average dust concentration, past levels of dust
exposure, and the ‘‘mill effect’’ that may be caused by grade
of cotton, or degree of contamination with Gram negative
microorganisms, have all been identified as possible causes of
the development of byssinosis.3–8 Gender, age, and ethnic
group seem not to be important factors,9 although gender and
ethnicity may be associated with job and length of exposure.
In some studies, smoking was found to be an important
risk factor for byssinosis, but this has not been established
clearly. Exposure to cotton dust has also been reported
to be associated with chronic bronchitis, cough, and
dyspnoea, which are regarded as non-specific respiratory
symptoms.4 10 11
A limited number of longitudinal studies have assessed the
relation between long term exposure to cotton dust and
chronic changes in pulmonary function.12–15 Fewer data exist
with regard to the longitudinal occurrence of respiratory
symptoms among populations occupationally exposed to
cotton dust. The current 15 year prospective follow up study
was undertaken among a group of Chinese cotton textile
workers to provide additional information on the long term
respiratory effects of exposure to cotton dust. Significantly
accelerated chronic loss of pulmonary function in relation to
airborne endotoxin exposure level was identified in these
cotton workers.16 The present analysis concentrates on both
work specific and non-specific respiratory symptoms
observed during the 15 years. The aim is to examine the
incidence of respiratory symptoms occurring in these workers,
and to evaluate their associations with cotton dust and
endotoxin exposure, as well as cessation of exposure.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..