AbstractObjectives-This survey was conducted toinvestigate current lung function levels inoperatives working with cotton and manmade fibres. Dust concentrations, smoking history, and occupational details wererecorded so that factors influencing lungfunction could be identified.Methods-A cross sectional study ofrespiratory symptoms and lung functionwas made in 1057 textile spinning operatives of white caucasian extraction. Thisrepresented 96-90/o of the total availableworking population to be studied. Most(713) worked currently with cotton. Theremainder worked with man made fibre.Lung function was assessed by measuringforced expiratory volume in one second(FEVI) and forced vital capacity (FVC).Exposure to cotton dust was measured inthe work area and personal breathingzones, and retrospective exposure to cotton dust over a working life was estimatedwith accurate work history and best available hygiene data.Results-3-5% of all operatives had byssinosis, 55 (5.3%) chronic bronchitis, 36(3.5%) work related persistent cough, 55(5.3%) non-byssinotic work related chesttightness, and 56 (5.3%) work relatedwheeze. A total of 212 static work areadust samples (range 0-04-3-23 mg/M3n) and213 personal breathing zone samples(range 0-14-24*95 mglm3) were collected.Percentage of predicted FEV, wasreduced in current smokers (mean 89-5,95% confidence interval (95% CI) 88-91)in comparison with non-smokers (93.1,90.5-94.1) and FVC was reduced in operatives currently working with man madefibre (95.3, 93.8-96.9) in comparison withcotton (97.8, 96.6-99.0). Regression analysis identified smoking (P<0.01), increasing age (P<0.01), increasing time workedin the waste room (P<0.01), and male sex(P<0.05) as being associated with a lowerFEV, and FVC. Current and retrospectivecotton dust exposures did not appear aspredictor variables in the regressionanalysis although in a univariate analysis,FEV1 was reduced in those operativesexposed to high dust concentrationsassessed by personal and work area sampling.Discussion-This study has documentedloss of lung function in association withexposure to cotton dust. Those operativeswith work related symptoms had signifi
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