Byssinosis in Carding and Spinning Workers

Abstract
Symptoms of byssinosis were found in 25% of 59 carders and in 12% of 99 spinners employed in two air-conditioned cotton textile mills. In carders as well as spinners, forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) and flow rates on maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves decreased during work on Monday, and to a lesser extent on Wednesday. The prevalence of byssinosis in these mills is higher than would be expected according to previous data, on the basis of the relatively low dust concentrations in the carding and spinning areas. If these prevalence rates are valid for the US cotton textile industry in general, about 8,000 carders and 9,000 spinners have byssinosis (all grades). This estimate excludes retired workers.

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