Pulmonary Symptoms and Functions in Cotton Factory Workers

Abstract

To determine the effects of chronic cotton dust exposure on respiratorytract.We planned a cross sectional study in cotton textile workers. Meanworking period of all subjects had been calculated as 18.0 ± 3.7 years. Atotal of 250 (95.4%) out of 262 were administered a respiratoryquestionnaire and all subjects were examined, and subjected to spirometricevaluation. 146 (%58.4) workers were exposed to cotton dust.Onehundredfour (41.6%) subjects working in places without dust wereregarded as control group.No statistically significant difference in respiratory symptoms, signs andspirometric parameters was found between study groups. In spirometricevaluations, in those having complained of symptoms compatible withallergic rhinitis and byssinosis PEFR, in those with bronchialhyperreactivity FEV1, PEFR and MMEF and in those with physicalexamination findings FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, MMEF values weresignificantly lower.No statistically significant impairment of pulmonary system wasdetected in workers due to chronic cotton dust exposure for 18 years