Respiratory dysfunction in textile factory workers

Abstract EN

Dust generated during the handling and processing of cotton causes ill health of workers.

Over 60 million people worldwide work in the textile or clothing industry.

Recent studies have recognized the contribution of workplace exposures to chronic lung diseases, in particular chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD].

The study aimed to assess the effect of exposure to cotton dust in textile industry on the respiratory system.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 randomly women selected textile factory workers in Al- Madhatiya Textile Factory in Babylon Province.

Information was collected through interview, in addition to physical examination and some needed investigations were performed including: white blood cell count [WBC], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], random blood sugar [RBS], blood urea, serum creatinine, electrocardiography [ECG], chest x-ray [CXR] and general urine examination [GUE], in addition to pulmonary function tests using portable medical spirometer, the results were compared to 50 control healthy subjects.

The study showed no significant difference in ages between active and control group, the mean age was 39.

6 ± 6.

15 years while in control group it was 47.

14 ± 11.

82 years, all subjects in both groups were females, mean duration of exposure of workers to cotton dust was 15.

67 ± 4.

86 years, the highest percentage of them complain from shortness of breath [45.

3 %], some of them had no symptoms [17.

3 %], respiratory symptoms occured occasionally [52 %], severity of symptoms was moderate restriction in most workers [24 %], the study also showed negative non-significant relation between duration of exposure and severity of respiratory impairment.

This study provides evidence of a strong relationship between exposure to cotton dust and respiratory impairments.

Preventive measures are warranted in order to reduce the high prevalence of respiratory dysfunction and other respiratory disorders in textile manufacturing