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Background Chrysotile had been used in asbestos textile workshops in Southeast China but a clear relation to mesothelioma is lacking. Methods All patients diagnosed with mesothelioma from 2003 to 2010 at Yuyao People's Hospital were re-evaluated by multiple expert pathologists with immunohistochemistry and asbestos exposure data were collected. Results Of 43 patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis, 19 peritoneal and nine pleural cases were finally diagnosed as mesothelioma. All were females, and the mean age of the patients with peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma was 52.4 and 58.2 years, respectively. All these cases had a history of domestic or occupational exposure to chrysotile. Two-thirds of the patients were from two adjoining towns with multiple small asbestos textile workshops. Contamination of tremolite was estimated to be less than 0.3%. Conclusions This is a report of mesothelioma in women exposed to chrysotile asbestos at home and at work, with an over-representation of peritoneal mesothelioma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:1040-1049, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Whether there is a difference in the exposure-response slope for lung cancer between mining workers and textile workers exposed to chrysotile has not been well documented. This study was carried out to evaluate exposure-specific lung cancer risks in Chinese chrysotile textile workers and mining workers. Subjects and methods A chrysotile mining worker cohort and a chrysotile textile worker cohort were observed concurrently for 26 years. Information on workers' vital status, occupational history and smoking habits were collected, and causes and dates of deaths were verified from death registries. Individual cumulative fiber exposures were estimated based on periodic dust/fiber measurements from different workshops, job title and duration, and categorized into four levels (Q1-Q4). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for lung cancer were calculated and stratified by industry and job title with reference of the national rates. Cox proportional hazard models were fit to estimate the exposure-specific lung cancer risks upon adjustment for age and smoking, in which an external control cohort consisting of industrial workers without asbestos exposure was used as reference group for both textile and mining workers. Results SMRs were almost consistent with exposure levels in terms of job titles and workshops. A clear exposure-response relationship between lung cancer mortality and exposure levels was observed in both cohorts. At low exposure levels (Q1 and Q2), textile workers displayed higher death risks of lung cancer than mining workers. However, similarly considerably high risks were observed at higher exposure levels, with hazard ratios of over 8 and 11 at Q3 and Q4, respectively, for both textile and mining workers, after both age and smoking were adjusted. Conclusion The chrysotile textile workers appeared to have a higher risk of lung cancer than the mining workers at a relatively low exposure level, but no difference was observed at a high exposure level, where both cohorts displayed a considerably high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies revealed the role of antioxidant agents in prevention of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). The aim of this study was to compare the protective effect of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and ginseng on protection of NIHL in textile workers exposed to continuous noise in daily working. In this study, 48 participants were randomly allocated to three groups; Group I received NAC 1200 mg/day, Group II received ginseng 200 mg/day, and Group III (control group) received no supplement. Pure tone audiometry and high frequency audiometry were performed preshift before and after 14 days (on day 15). Linear regression analysis results showed reduced noise-induced temporary threshold shift (TTS) for NAC and ginseng groups at 4, 6 and 16 kHz (P < 0.001) in both ears. Furthermore, the protective effects were more prominent in NAC than ginseng. Our results show that NAC and ginseng can reduce noise induced TTS in workers exposed to occupational noise. Further studies are needed to prove antioxidants benefits in hearing conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent occupational health problems in industrialized countries. Little is known about the epidemiology of LBP in developing countries. Aims To determine the prevalence of LBP among Nepalese textile workers and to investigate the influence of exposure to mechanical and other factors on LBP reporting. Methods Interviewers completed questionnaires with study subjects, and work-related mechanical exposures were measured by self-completed questionnaires. Associations of LBP with mechanical factors and somatic symptoms were determined by logistic regression and reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Nine hundred and thirty-eight workers took part, a participation rate of 92%. The 1 month period prevalence of LBP was 35% (n = 324), being higher in females than males (45% versus 28%; P < 0.001). Several work-related mechanical factors were associated with increased odds of reporting LBP: lifting heavy weights with one hand (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.8), pushing weights (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2–2.3 and pulling weights (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.1). No association was found with working posture. Strong associations were found for reporting one (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.7–3.4) or two somatic symptoms (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4–5.1). On multivariable analysis, reporting of somatic symptoms (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.5–5.4), female gender (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5–3.1) and increasing age were significantly associated with increased risk of reporting LBP (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2–2.5), but no associations were found with mechanical factors. Conclusions This study suggests that mechanical load may not be the leading cause of LBP and adds to evidence that psychological factors play an important role in LBP in non-industrialized countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational exposure to endotoxin is associated with decrements in pulmonary function, but how much variation in this association is explained by genetic variants is not well understood. Objective: We aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with the rate of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline by a large scale genetic association study in newly-hired healthy young female cotton textile workers. Methods: DNA samples were genotyped using the Illumina Human CVD BeadChip. Change rate in FEV1 was modeled as a function of each SNP genotype in linear regression model with covariate adjustment. We controlled the type 1 error in study-wide level by permutation method. The false discovery rate (FDR) and the family-wise error rate (FWER) were set to be 0.10 and 0.15 respectively. Results: Two SNPs were found to be significant (P<6.29×10−5), including rs1910047 (P = 3.07×10−5, FDR = 0.0778) and rs9469089 (P = 6.19×10−5, FDR = 0.0967), as well as other eight suggestive (P<5×10−4) associated SNPs. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were also observed, such as rs1910047 and rs1049970 (P = 0.0418, FDR = 0.0895); rs9469089 and age (P = 0.0161, FDR = 0.0264). Genetic risk score analysis showed that the more risk loci the subjects carried, the larger the rate of FEV1 decline occurred (Ptrend = 3.01×10−18). However, the association was different among age subgroups (P = 7.11×10−6) and endotoxin subgroups (P = 1.08×10−2). Functional network analysis illustrates potential biological connections of all interacted genes. Conclusions: Genetic variants together with environmental factors interact to affect the rate of FEV1 decline in cotton textile workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Man needs a wide range of nutrients to lead a healthy and active life and these are derived through the diet they consume daily. Good nutrition is a basic component of health. The present paper assesses the Nutritional Profile of Textile Workers and Non Textile Workers of Uttar Pradesh. Methods: Out of total 920 subjects studied, 463 Textile Workers and 457 Non Textile Workers were randomly selected and interviewed for the purpose of study; Tools used were three days home visits and group meetings. Anthropometric measurements taken were height and weight. Dietary data was collected using standardized cups methods. Results: The findings depict that most of the Textile Workers and Non Textile Workers were basically non-vegetarian and majority of the Textile Workers and their families mostly missed regular pattern of three meals a day. Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) was found to be more prevalent in Textile Workers as compared to Non Textile Workers but the prevalence of over weight/obesity was seen more in Non Textile Workers. Conclusions: The nutritional status of the Textile Workers and their families was not an excellent one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), an irreversible disorder, is a common problem in industrial settings. Early diagnosis of NIHL can help prevent the progression of hearing loss, especially in speech frequencies. For early diagnosis of NIHL, audiometry is performed routinely in conventional frequencies. We designed this study to compare the effect of noise on high-frequency audiometry (HFA) and conventional audiometry. In a historical cohort study, we compared hearing threshold and prevalence of hearing loss in conventional and high frequencies of audiometry among textile workers divided into two groups: With and without exposure to noise more than 85 dB. The highest hearing threshold was observed at 4000 Hz, 6000 Hz and 16000 Hz in conventional right ear audiometry, conventional left ear audiometry and HFA in each ear, respectively. The hearing threshold was significantly higher at 16000 Hz compared to 4000. Hearing loss was more common in HFA than conventional audiometry. HFA is more sensitive to detect NIHL than conventional audiometry. It can be useful for early diagnosis of hearing sensitivity to noise, and thus preventing hearing loss in lower frequencies especially speech frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, reduced sleep quality and multiple tender points. A recent population study from Turkey found the prevalence of FM as 3.6%. A prevalence study among workers has not yet been performed. We performed a prevalence survey among working population in the city of Denizli in Turkey. Methods: The field survey was done in two stages. In the first stage 655 (523 female, 132 male) textile workers from four factories were asked to fill a screening questionnaire. In the next stage, participants who had widespread pain were examined by an experienced rheumatologist. Patients who had 11 tender points according to ACR 1990 FM classification criteria were diagnosed as FM syndrome and later a detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation was done. Results: Forty-eight patients (7.3%) (one male [0.76% of males], 47 females [9.0% of females]) among 655 textile workers were diagnosed as FM. The clinical features were as follows: all patients had widespread pain, 12.5% had arthralgia, 14.6% had Raynaud's phenomenon, 41.6% had sleep disturbance, 87.5% had headache, 52% had irritable bowel disease. Age, gender, marital status, income level, education level, smoking status, and body mass index level of workers were evaluated by logistic regression analysis; multiple analysis. Only three variables (age, gender and annual income level) were significantly affected FM prevalence. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating FM prevalence among workers from Turkey. The prevalence of FM appears higher among females, older workers, and workers with low annual money income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors measured prevalence of byssinosis in spinning and textile workers of Karachi, Pakistan, and examined association of the disease with demographic and environmental factors. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 3 spinning and textile mills and 3 colonies inhabited by spinning and textile workers. A precoded questionnaire was administered to the workers and followed by physical and clinical examination. Among 362 textile workers, the authors found the prevalence of byssinosis to be 35.6%. Educational status of the workers and section of the mill were significantly associated with prevalence of the disease. The authors conclude that there is a high prevalence of byssinosis in spinning and textile workers of Karachi. Furthermore, low education level and work in the spinning section of the mill appear to contribute significantly to the high prevalence of the disease in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preventive workplace regulations are so far not based on an ubiquitously accepted threshold for airborne endotoxin in the bioaerosol. In a cross-sectional study, 150 employees of a cotton spinning mill underwent lung function testing. Furthermore, in a random subset of 75 textile workers cross-shift lung function test and methacholine challenges were performed. Airborne current endotoxin exposure was classified as “low”, “medium”, and “high” (≤100, >100–≤450, and >450 Endotoxin Units (EU)/m3, respectively) based on endotoxin activity. The exposure–response relationship between current endotoxin exposure and prevalence of an obstructive ventilation pattern was significant (test for linear trend: P = 0.019); the adjusted odds ratio for high endotoxin exposure was 11.22 (95% confidence interval 1.03–121.17). Within individuals, FEV1/FVC% was significantly reduced after the shift (paired t test: P = 0.009) but not related to current endotoxin exposure. Twelve workers showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness (8.1% before and 12.2% after the work shift; Fisher’s exact test: P = 0.021). The study among German cotton textile workers suggests an exposure-dependent effect of current endotoxin exposure on lung function impairment with significant effects above 450 EU/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to dust in the cotton industry is associated with respiratory dysfunction. Healthy subjects challenged with cotton bract extract (CBE) develop transient airway hyperresponsiveness. CBE, a major component of cotton dust, is potentially an important agent for studying byssinosis. Objectives: To compare airway responses to cotton dust extract (CDE) and CBE in healthy subjects. Methods: In 21 healthy, non-smoking subjects we compared the effects of CBE and CDE in a double-blind random order, following a 10-min aerosol inhalation. The response to methacholine (MCh) 2 h following CBE or CDE was measured. Lung function was recorded using maximal (MEFV) and partial expiratory flow volume (PEFV) curves, measuring MEF at 60% of baseline vital capacity below total lung capacity [MEF40%(P)] on the PEFV curve. Responders were subjects who developed a 20% or greater fall in MEF40%(P) following extract challenge. Endotoxin levels were low for CBE (5.71 EU/mg) and CDE (31.88 EU/mg). Results: There were 18 responders to CBE and 17 responders to CDE.The average maximal falls in MEF40%(P) were 70 ± 4.9 and 70 ± 4.4% of baseline (nonsignificant) following CBE and CDE, respectively. All subjects enhanced their MCh response following CBE or CDE. The MCh dose which reduced MEF40%(P) by 40% was identical for CBE and CDE (1.3 μg/ml). Conclusions: We conclude that CBE and CDE exert similar physiologic effects. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the incidence of cancer among workers at a textile factory in Alytus, Lithuania. Standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for men; Incidence of esophagus cancer, lung cancer and gallbladder cancer; Incidence of cervical and breast cancer among women workers.

Summary This study was carried out in a textile factory settled in the city center of Adana, Turkey. The workers were evaluated for the presence of superficial mycoses and the interaction of their working environment or working condition. A total of 431 textile workers were included in the study, with a male to female ratio of 378 (87.7%) to 53 (12.3%) and an age range of 19–52 (mean: 33.7 ± 6.8). Direct examination and/or culture revealed superficial mycoses in 73 (16.9%) workers, among them 56 (76.7%) were classified as dermatophytoses, 8 (11.0%) as Pityriasis versicolor while in nine (12.3%) of the cases, no causative agent could be determined. Trichophyton rubrum (57.1%) and T. mentagrophytes (42.9%) were the two species isolated on culture. This study emphasized that textile workers should be admitted as a risk group for superficial mycoses, especially tinea pedis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon disulphide (CS2) is known to accelerate atherosclerosis and to increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases. To assess the effect of CS2 on the functional (distensibility and compliance) and the structural (intima media thickness) properties of the common carotid artery, and blood pressure and lipid metabolism parameters, a cross‐sectional study on 85 workers from a viscose rayon factory and 37 controls was carried out. Exposure to CS2 was assessed by personal monitoring and was well below the threshold limit value‐time weighted average. Carotid arterial wall properties were determined using a non‐invasive ultrasound wall movement detector system. No significant effect of CS2 on blood pressure, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides was found. Among the vascular parameters studied, only distensibility was significantly lower and heart rate was significantly higher in exposed subjects compared with the controls. In conclusion, occupational exposure to CS2 may cause early alterations in arterial elastic properties in young individuals, and even before lipid and clinical findings have occurred, important functional changes in the vessel wall are present. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: To assess the occurrence and persistence of two restrictively defined neck-shoulder disorders among sewing machine operators. To assess factors associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorder and prognostic factors for remaining a case, when disorders were already present.Methods: In an initial group of 243 sewing machine operators, 178 were followed up for 2 years. At baseline and at 1 and 2 years follow up the participants underwent a clinical examination of the neck and arms and filled in a questionnaire about current musculoskeletal complaints. Clinical criteria for two main neck-shoulder disorders were defined: rotator cuff tendinitis and myofascial pain syndrome. A baseline control group consisted of 357 women with varied non-repetitive work.Results: At baseline the overall prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis was 15.2% and 5.8% among sewing machine operators compared with 9.0% and 2.2%, respectively, among controls. The presence of the disorders was strongly associated with a self perception of poor general health. Although myofascial pain syndrome showed a U shaped association with years as a sewing machine operator, rotator cuff tendinitis was absent among the newest recruits and present among 15% of the women with more than 20 years as a sewing machine operator. Besides years as a sewing machine operator, the risk of having a neck-shoulder disorder at baseline was significantly associated with high stress (prevalence ratio (PR)=2.54; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.28 to 5.05) when adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, living alone with children, job strain, and social support from colleagues and supervisors. Only one of 13 participants with rotator cuff tendinitis at baseline recovered during follow up. Myofascial pain syndrome showed a much more fluctuating tendency. Low social support (RR 3.72; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.30) and smoking (RR 3.93; 95% CI 1.33 to 11.58) were associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorders, which was also associated with neck-shoulder pain score and living alone with children.Conclusion: Rotator cuff tendinitis showed a higher degree of persistence than myofascial pain syndrome. Both disorders highly influenced the perception of general health. Women who lived alone with children, were smokers, or experienced low support from colleagues and supervisors had a higher risk of contracting a neck-shoulder disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate a large population of cotton textile weavers for reported respiratory symptoms relative to occupational factors, smoking, and exposure to dust. Cotton processing is known to produce a respiratory disease known as byssinosis particularly in the early processes of cotton spinning. Relatively little is known about the respiratory health of the cotton weavers who produce cloth from spun cotton. By the time cotton is woven many of the original contaminants have been removed.Methods: 1295 operatives from a target population of 1428 were given an interviewer led respiratory questionnaire. The presence of upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms were sought and the work relatedness of these symptoms determined by a stem questionnaire design. Also occupational and demographic details were obtained and spirometry and personal dust sampling performed.Results: Byssinosis was present in only four people (0.3%). Chronic bronchitis had a moderate overall prevalence of about 6% and was related predominantly to smoking. There were several other work related respiratory symptoms (persistent cough 3.9%, chronic production of phlegm 3.6%, chest tightness 4.8%, wheezing 5.4%, and breathlessness 2.3%). All of these were predicted predominantly by smoking (either past or present), with no consistent independent effect of exposure to dust. Work related eye and nasal symptoms were more common (10.4% and 16.9% respectively).Conclusion: Byssinosis is a rare respiratory symptom in cotton weaving. Other work related respiratory symptoms were reported but their presence was predominantly related to smoking with no consistent effects of exposure to dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of self reported musculoskeletal complaints in the back, arms or neck, and legs among workers in the spinning industry, and to investigate the relations between these complaints and work related variables.Methods: An interview based questionnaire survey was carried out in two spinning industry factories in Lithuania.Results: The study group consisted of all workers in production (n = 363). Symptoms of the legs were the musculoskeletal symptom reported most often (61%). Many subjects had arms or neck (55%) or back problems (28%). 20% had experienced pain from all three sites. Almost 25% had had musculoskeletal pain every day and 16% had experienced constant pain during previous year. Packers had the highest risk of arms or neck problems whereas spinners had the highest risk of back or leg problems. Working in a strained posture (bending, work with arms raised up above shoulder level, and repetitive movements of the fingers) was associated with all three complaints. Only arms or neck complaints were associated with age.Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem among workers producing gobelin or synthetic thread in Lithuania and working in a strained posture is a risk factor for developing musculoskeletal disorders in three body sites: legs, arms or neck, and back. To better understand the different aspects of physical load as risk factors, a more detailed study of the frequency of postural changes as well as an observation of individually adopted postures would be necessary. This applies to intervention studies in factories of the spinning industry to prevent complaints of the legs and shoulders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of the byssinosis controversy on surveillance programs in the cotton textile industry is reviewed. The federally regulated format for industry medical surveillance guarantees neither automatic reduction of cotton dust exposure for high-risk workers nor wage rate retention for workers who are transferred to less dusty job sites. The absence of universal guidelines for worker management, combined with doubt over the severity and prevalence of byssinosis, encourages employers to evaluate medical surveillance programs primarily on the basis of their economic impact. When employers use the programs to control their losses the potential costs of worker participation are increased. Comparisons with medical surveillance programs in the coal industry suggest that health benefits to workers can be guaranteed in the context of disputes over occupational diseases in industry, labor, and government agencies all participate in program design and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Byssinosis, a lung disease caused by cotton dust, has been the subject of recent controversy. Debates over the nature of the disease, possible interactions with cigarette smoking, and the proposed reevaluation of the cotton dust standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have tended to overlook the plight of affected workers and to obscure the most effective means for preventing the disease. The present lack of definitive information is no reason for inaction, nor for depriving disabled workers of adequate financial compensation. In this respect, byssinosis is no different from other public health hazards for which action must often be taken on the basis of incomplete evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration's 1978 cotton dust standard, a prime example of social regulation in the 1970s, was designed to protect workers from the Incidence of byssinosis. It was also from the very outset the center of a regulatory controversy. This article documents the evolution of the standard, summarizes evidence presented by parties to the regulatory proceedings, and Identifies the possible economic impacts of the standard on the cotton textile industry and on cotton producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the relation of the carpal tunnel (CT) diameters (depth and width) to the motor conduction velocities of the median and ulnar nerves for the right and left hands of the male and female controls and carpet weavers. Greater mean CT depth and width of the left hand in carpet weavers; Unreliability of using the CT size as predictor for CT syndrome.

Investigates the outbreak of organizing pneumonia associated with printing sprayers used in textile factories in Spain. Illness definition; Interview of sample employees from eight textile printing factories using spraying techniques; Attack rates; Results.

A textile worker exposed to dimethoxane in an aqueous system developed allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing to this compound and its possible products in an aqueous system demonstrated sensitization to acetaldehyde and crotonaldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the prevalence of emphysema among textile workers in Danville, Virginia. Evidence of high rate of emphysema on white males; Percentage in the prevalence in the age group of 60-64 years old; Increase in the prevalence of emphysema between the 1962-1969 and 1970-1980 period.

SUMMARY In a retrospective cohort study of 768 textile workers, a model-based approach is used to determine the effect of cumulative exposure to chrysotile asbestos on the hazard of death from lung cancer. Age at death is the outcome variable, and the effects of cumulative exposure, calendar year, and number of years since initial employment are modelled as time dependent covariates. This work quantifies and tests formally the dose response effect observed in a standardized mortality ratio analysis by Dement et al. (1982). An extended definition of the proportional hazards model is presented for time dependent covariates defined as step functions of the repeated measurements over time. A complete parametric modelling approach is employed here in addition to the use of Cox's model. Specifically, an underlying failure time distribution is assumed, and the model parameters are expressed as simple linear functions of the covariates. Nonparametric estimation of the cumulative hazard as a function of covariate strata is used to select an appropriate parametric form for the underlying hazard. These procedures are generalized to allow for changing covariate values over time. The Gompertz distribution is chosen for this particular data, and a departure from the proportional hazards model is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The section of "Woolen-yarn Manufacture" focuses on the risks to physical and mental health encountered by the workers in textile industries. According to the article certain aspects of the wool manufacturing business such as dust, atmospheric pollution, noise emission, and exposure to toxic materials can be extremely hazardous for the employees of the textile industries. It refers to the reports of the Textile research Council in this regard. Reports on machine safety are also mentioned. It is also mentioned that there are some mental and psychological factors affecting the well-being of factory personnel also. The modifications in the present system to overcome these hazards are also mentioned.

Presents a study which determined the prevalence of byssinosis among textile workers in the U.S. in the 1970s. Relevance of chronic bronchitis to the severity of byssinosis; Relation of the prevalence of byssinosis to the total-dust levels; Analysis of the pulmonary function test results.

Presents information on a study that examined the presence of byssinosis among workers exposed to dust in carding and spinning rooms of a cotton textile mill. Research methods; Results and discussion on the study.

The article focuses on the debate on byssinosis, an acute response to cotton dust, in the U.S. A commentary by Wegman and his colleagues, which provide a useful perspective for the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Health Administration, addressed on several issues such as the principals of prevention in controlling exposure to cotton dust, and the compensation for lung disease is central to the debate on byssinosis. It was generally accepted that long term cotton dust exposure produced obstruction in the chronic airways among some workers. The remarkable progress made by the cotton textile industry in controlling cotton dust exposures and instituting comprehensive occupational medical surveillance programs is often overlooked.

In 1981, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down an important decision upholding the cotton dust emission standard set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It has long been known that a common disease afflicting textile workers has been the infamous "brown lung" or byssinosis. After numerous medical studies, especially the work of Arend Bouhuys, Congress asked OSHA to investigate the effects of cotton dust in the workplace. OSHA found that limiting cotton dust was critical to eliminating brown lung disease. It is opined that for an industry that has been plagued by excess capacity and very low returns on investment, imposition of the new cotton dust standard may actually result in strengthening the remaining firms. Demand for raw cotton, even in the most pessimistic case, is expected to rise over the next decade. With the continuing instability in oil prices and the introduction of improved cotton products, cotton textile firms should look to the future with some optimism.

Reports that the control of byssinosis might be improved or facilitated if the nature and source of the major contributors were known. Test that was used to measure endotoxin activity on filters that had collected vertically elutriated dust; Symptoms of byssinosis.

Objectives: To guide the development of targeted interventions for the prevention of work-related back pain, this manuscript estimates the prevalence of back pain and its association with a variety of risk factors among Almeda textile factory production works from March to April 2015. An institutional—based cross-sectional study was carried out in Almeda textile factory, North Ethiopia. Randomly selected workers were administered a structured questionnaire about their socio-economic status, lifestyle, working conditions, back pain and selected risk factors. The data was entered to Epi Info 3.5.4 version and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics were done to characterize the study participants. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were fitted to control confounding variables. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was computed. Results: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 53.1%. Gender, age, years of service, lack of physical activity, unavailability of adjustable chair, work-load and poor light were significantly associated with increased risk of back pain. The high prevalence of work-related back pain disorder implies that; habit of doing physical exercise, availing adjustable chair and light at the working place, are key issues which require specific interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Noise is considered to be an important industrial pollutant involving every industry and contributing to hearing loss in every country of the world. Worldwide, 16% of the disabling hearing loss in adults is attributed to occupational noise, ranging from 7 to 21% in the various sub regions. Majority of textile workers in Pakistan are also exposed to high noise produced by machines. Review of available literature shows that information regarding hearing loss due to noise exposure is scarce. Identification of the actual burden of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in textile workers will help in recognition of this important public health issue and will help in advocating related stakeholders to formulate guidelines for this important segment of population. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the frequency of hearing loss in textile workers of Karachi and association between different factors with NIHL. A questionnaire based cross sectional survey along with audiometry was conducted in the six textile factories of different industrial areas of Karachi. METHODS: A total of 264 workers were assessed for hearing loss with audiometric and otoscopic examination conducted by audiologist Sample size was calculated using 95% confidence level, 5% bound on the error. Effect modifier was controlled through stratification of age, household income, marital status, and educational level to see the effect of these variables on outcome. Chi square was applied for the categorical variables. Univariate regression applied for calculating ORs with 95% CIs. All variables (age, duration of work, sound level, educational status, income, mill, ethnicity, symptoms on otoscopic examination) having significant p-value <.05 and those having biological plausibility were included in multivariate models. RESULTS: Mean noise level in these factories was 97.6 ±2.05 dB. About 79% workers had hearing impairment on audiometric assessment having hearing loss ≥25 dB. Out of theses 19% of the workers had conductive deafness and 71% reports to have mixed hearing loss. Of them, 75% of these workers had symmetrical hearing loss in both ears.63% of the workers in age group of 18-34 years reported to have hearing loss. Mean job duration of these workers was 5.6± 5 years. After adjusting for age, monthly income and smoking status, noise was associated with hearing loss with OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.03-1.69) with p < .05. CONCLUSION: Hearing impairment affects a large proportion of the workers in Pakistan. There is a need for screening of workers exposed to occupational noise and and guidelines to limit this exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several abstracts related to occupational lung diseases. They include "Positive Specific Bronchial Challenges Despite Normal Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness," by A. Brant, J. Arbery and P. Cullinan, "Cross Shift Changes in FEV1 Best Predict Work Related Respiratory Symptoms in Textile Workers," by R.M. Barraclough, R. Lewis, M. Henson, C. Warburton and D. Fishwick, and "Fall in the Incidence of Occupational Asthma Following an Intervention in a Detergent Enzyme Factory," by A. Brant, C. Zekfeld, J. Helms, F. Barnes, A.J. Newman Taylor and P. Cullinan.

This article presents the case study of a patient who developed contact dermatitis from azedicarbonamide in earplugs. A 58-year-old textile worker was suffering from recurrent bilateral otitis externa. According to him, during the course of his work, he wore yellow foam earplugs. Three months later he was patch tested to the components of the earplugs and it was found that patient showed strong positive reaction to azodicarbonamide. The patient's otitis externa cleared on discarding his earplugs.

The article looks at the subjects discussed in research papers published in volume 8, 1928 issues of the periodical, focusing on the epidemiology of communicable diseases. Topics include an article by James A. Doull on diphtheria and scarlet fever, a report by W. Lloyd Aycock on poliomyelitis, and an article by Anna M. Baetjer and Linda Lange on tuberculosis in textile workers.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare lung disease characterized by small calculi, called calsispheritis, in the alveoli. The disease usually presents at age 20 to 30 years and is mostly diagnosed incidentally or detected on routine pulmonary roentgenograms. The radiologic findings are pathognomonic for the disease. Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis most frequently appears in Turkey, followed by Italy. We present the case of a 29-year-old female textile worker found to have widespread micronodules after a routine pulmonary roentgenogram. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The linear relative rate model has been employed in epidemiologic analyses of a variety of environmental and occupational exposures. In contrast to an exponential rate model, the linear relative rate model implies that the excess relative rate of disease changes in an additive fashion with exposure. The linear relative rate model may be fitted using EPICURE (HiroSoft International Corporation, Seattle, Washington), a specialized statistical software package widely used for such analyses. In this paper, the author presents a simple approach to fitting the linear relative rate model to epidemiologic data using PROC NLMIXED in the SAS statistical software package (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina). This approach is illustrated via analyses of data from a study of mortality in a cohort of South Carolina asbestos textile workers (1940–2001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the lung impairment in cotton textile factory workers in Nigeria. Exposure of subjects to printing, dyeing and maintenance sections; Changes in residual pulmonary function (PFT) in subjects with airway symptoms; Effect of alcohol intake on airway and PFT changes.

Examines the serum immunoglobulin C, M, A, C3 and C4 concentrations in byssinotic and non-byssinotic cotton mill workers. Collection of serum to evaluate complicating factors; Decrease of serum immunoglobulins concentration; Effect of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Refutes certain myths concerning a lung disease called byssinosis. Affliction of workers from the cotton and textile industries in the United States with the disease; Substantial breathing loss suffered by the workers; Similarity of the symptoms caused by smoking and cotton dust exposure. INSET: Struggle Over the Cotton Dust Standard.