Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Functions in a Cotton Spinning Mill

Overview

The authors submit the results of examination of 125 workers of a cotton spinning mill. The objective of the work was to assessthe incidence of respiratory symptoms and level of basic pulmonary parameters with regard to the general dustiness and microbio-logical characteristic of atmosphere of the workplace. The methods comprised a modified respiratory questionnaire of the BritishResearch Council and assessment of pulmonary functions using the method of flow/volume curves. The authors examined immu-noglobulins A, E, G, M and specific IgE for cotton. The mean of whole-shift dust concentrations in the spinning mill was 3.06mg/m3(SD1.5, med. 3.4, range 0.8–5.28). The microbial contamination of the working atmosphere was high. In different parts ofthe workshop it amounted from 13 000 to 136 000 micro-organisms per 1 m3, 33% workers reported at least one respiratorysymptom associated with their work. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was as high as 8.8%. Bysinotic symptoms were reportedby 4.8% of the examined subjects. A mild chronic respiratory disorder with reduction of FEV1 was found in 6.4% subjects, moresevere disorders were not detected. Although the incidence of subjective complains in the spinning mill was relatively high, it wasnot associated with permanent deterioration of pulmonary functions.

Key words:
cotton, textiles, respiratory symptoms, bysinosis