Byssinosis

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Abstract
Inhalation of cotton or hemp dust causes chest tightness and decreases of maximum expiratory flow rates on flow volume curves in the majority of textile workers and healthy subjects exposed to these dusts, or to aerosolized dust extracts. This acute response probably reflects narrowing of small intrapulmonary airways by toxic, histamine-releasing agents in the dust. The symptoms and the flow rate decreases can be potentiated by propranolol and inhibited by atropine. The balance between vagal and sympathetic impulses which impinge on airway smooth muscle appears to be important in determining the lung’s response to textile dust inhalation. The role of such interactions between endogenous autonomic activity and other exogenous stimuli (eg, air pollutants) needs to be studied in detail.