Respiratory-function changes in textile workers exposed to synthetic fibers

Area of Science:

• Occupational medicine
• Pulmonary toxicology
• Textile industry health

Background:

• Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function changes are concerns in textile workers.
• Previous studies linked cotton and hemp exposure to byssinosis and respiratory issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in textile workers with varied fiber exposures.
• To compare health outcomes between workers exposed to synthetic fibers, cotton, and hemp.

Main Methods:

• Studied three groups of textile workers: synthetic fibers only, previous cotton exposure, and previous hemp exposure.
• Assessed prevalence of respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea (grades 3-4).
• Conducted ventilatory function tests (FEV1.0, FVC, MEF50%) during work shifts and compared historical data.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower prevalence of severe dyspnea in workers exposed only to synthetic fibers (P < .01).
• No byssinosis cases identified in any study group.
• Acute reductions in FEV1.0, FVC, and MEF50% observed during work shifts, particularly on Mondays.
• Workers previously exposed to hemp showed better respiratory health and less acute ventilatory decline when working with synthetic fibers compared to hemp.

Conclusions:

• Exposure to synthetic fibers alone may be associated with a lower risk of severe respiratory symptoms compared to cotton or hemp.
• While byssinosis was not observed, acute ventilatory function impairment occurs during work shifts.
• Shifting from hemp to synthetic fiber exposure appears to improve respiratory health outcomes for textile workers.