Byssinosis and Chronic Bronchitis Among Cotton Textile Workers

A survey of a modern cotton-synthetic blend mill was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of byssinosis, the effects of smoking, aging, and cotton-dust exposure on the frequency and severity of byssinosis, chronic bronchitis, and dyspnea (defined by index ratings), and whether total-dust samples would indicate byssinosis risk. Twenty percent of those working in preparation areas, 2% of those in yarn processing areas, and 6% of all employees were diagnosed as byssinotic. Among men, the byssinosis index increased with smoking and the bronchitis index increased with smoking plus dust exposure. Byssinotic workers were found to have more chronic bronchitis and dyspnea than matched control workers. It is concluded that byssinosis and chronic bronchitis are both influenced by cotton-dust exposure and cigarette smoking. Total-dust samples, in this plant, gave no indication of byssinosis risk.