A Longitudinal Study of Respiratory Health of Workers Exposed to Cotton Dust

Details

• Personal Author:
  Christiani, David C. ; Dai HL ; Eisen EA ; Olenchock, Stephen A. ; Pan LD ; Sun BX ; Wang XR ; Wegman, David H. ; Zhang HX
• Description:
  Rationale: Limited evidence exists with regard to the possible relationship between long-term exposure to cotton dust and chronic effects on health. This study was designed to examine the chronic effects of long-term exposure to cotton dust on respiratory health, and to investigate potentially modifying factors for the effects. Methods: The respiratory health status of 447 cotton textile workers (study group) and 472 silk textile workers (control group) recruited from Shanghai, China was assessed over 15 years, with four time point surveys. The current analysis focused on respiratory symptom data collected from each survey period with identical standardized questionnaires and the potential effects of exposure to cotton dust, endotoxin and cigarette smoking. Results: The prevalence of byssinosis among the cotton group increased over time, reaching 15% at the last survey. The cumulative prevalence of byssinosis or work-related chest tightness over the 15 years was 29%. Cumulative incidence was 21.5% for byssinosis and 24.9% for work-related chest tightness. Byssinosis and work-related chest tightness were significantly more common in smokers than in non-smokers. Cotton workers had more chronic bronchitis, cough and dyspnea. Multivariate analysis revealed that these respiratory outcomes were significantly associated with endotoxin, but not with dust, concentrations. Conclusion: The study suggests that efficient control strategies aimed at lowing airborne endotoxin, and restricting smoking are important for preventing adverse respiratory responses in workers chronically exposed to cotton dust. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Chronic Disease Cotton Fiber Dust Endotoxins Gossypium Irritants Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Health Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Textile Industry

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• Keywords:
  Chronic-degenerative-diseases Cotton-dust Cotton-fibers Cotton-industry Cotton-mill-workers Pulmonary-system-disorders Respiratory-irritants Respiratory-system-disorders Textile-finishing Textile-mills Textile-workers Textiles Textiles-industry

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• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  163
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20035706
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001 Apr; 163(5)(2)(Suppl):A845
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Part Number:
  2
• Start Date:
  19870701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Abstracts of the American Thoracic Society 2001 International Conference, May 18-23, 2001, San Francisco, California
• Supplement:
  Suppl
• End Date:
  20220831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:4bc00e6cac73ede5c28c3215ddbd1329ecef6d67e175205cfb0d1e2b94ff02a363432a593789bd20db00fb68651ad6b017f41b273fbc7efe3ca8e118feada706
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/187481/cdc_187481_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 7.27 MB ]