ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study was performed in 8 cotton spinning mills and 2 manmade fibre mills. A total of 1367 operatives were administered a respiratory questionnaire. Byssinosis was found in 39 operatives in cotton (4.1%) and 1 operative in manmade fibre (0.24%). The byssinotic group exhibited a higher frequency of the following work related symptoms: % in byssinotics (% of non-byssinotics); persistent cough 23.1% (4.1%), chronic bronchitis 20.5% (3.2%), wheeze 28.2% (6.3%) and shortness of breath 25.6% (2.9%). This study documents the current downward trend in the prevalence of byssinosis and demonstrates the presence of respiratory symptoms other than chest tightness in this condition.
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