First report of byssinosis in Hong Kong

There has been no report of byssinosis in Hong Kong although the textile industry has been one of the leading industries for many years. Three workers with a long history of exposure to cotton dust had chronic obstructive airways disease precipitated by their work environment. One had irreversible airways obstruction but none had chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma. Only one gave a history of "Monday morning tightness," and this was attributed to the fact that most of the textile workers in Hong Kong work seven days a week. It was suggested that a survey be carried out to ascertain the importance of byssinosis in the textile workers of Hong Kong and tha byssinosis should there be added to the list of notifiable occupational diseases.