Abstract
Abstract
Byssinosis is an acute and chronic respiratory disease caused by occupational exposure to textile and vegetable dust. Characterized by chest tightness, it can occur after an absence from regular exposure to dust. Cotton production commonly leads to contamination with organic matter, and the endotoxin found in cotton dust is associated with an increased risk of byssinosis. Symptoms of chest tightness have also been observed with exposure to a variety of other organic dust, but this is not referred to as byssinosis outside of textile processing settings. To assess exposure to cotton dust, a standard air sampling of the inhalable or respirable dust fraction should be performed in the worker's breathing zone. Studies have also shown that exposure to vegetable dust can lead to an increased prevalence of nonspecific airway symptoms, modest cross‐shift declines in spirometry, and progressive declines in lung function among those with long exposure. Linear dose–response relationships have been observed between byssinosis prevalence, cross‐shift declines in FEV
1
, and concentration of inhalable cotton dust and endotoxin. Byssinosis is not a curable disease, and so far treatment interventions aim to reduce symptoms. Occupational exposure limit values for cotton dust have been continuously improved in several countries as a result of updated knowledge of the disease. Dust control is an important aspect of preventing lung disease among textile workers, but an integrated program including regulations, exposure risk assessment, health surveillance, and workplace health promotion activities are needed to protect workers' respiratory health.