Impact of using different predictive equations on the prevalence of chronic byssinosis in textile workers in Pakistan

ObjectiveByssinosis remains a significant problem among textile workers in low/middle-income countries. Here we share our experience of using different prediction equations for assessing ‘chronic’ byssinosis according to the standard WHO classification using measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1).MethodsWe enrolled 1910 workers in a randomised controlled trial of an intervention to improve the health of textile workers in Pakistan. We included in analyses the 1724 (90%) men who performed pre-bronchodilator spirometry tests of acceptable quality. We compared four different equations for deriving lung function percentage predicted values among those with symptoms-based byssinosis: the third US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III, with ‘North Indian and Pakistani’ conversion factor); the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI, ‘other or mixed ethnicities’); a recent equation derived from survey of a western Indian population; and one based on an older and smaller survey of Karachi residents.Results58 men (3.4%) had symptoms-based byssinosis according to WHO criteria. Of these, the proportions with a reduced FEV1 (<80% predicted) identified using NHANES and GLI; Indian and Pakistani reference equations were 40%, 41%, 14% and 12%, respectively. Much of this variation was eliminated when we substituted FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (<lower limit of normality) as a measure of airway obstruction.ConclusionAccurate measures of occupational disease frequency and distribution require approaches that are both standardised and meaningful. We should reconsider the WHO definition of ‘chronic’ byssinosis based on changes in FEV1, and instead use the FEV1/FVC.

The Cotton Dust-Related Allergic Asthma: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Textile Workers in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam

Objective: To determine the prevalence of cotton dust-related allergic asthma and associated factors among textile workers in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 1082 workers in two textile garment companies using the asthma diagnostic criteria of the GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) 2016 guidelines. Results: Among study participants, 11.9% had suspected asthma symptoms, 7.4% were diagnosed with asthma, and 4.3% (3.6% in men and 4.5% in women) were diagnosed with cotton dust-related allergic asthma. Overweight, seniority more than 10 years, history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, family history of allergy, and exposure to cotton dust from more than one hour per day in the working environment were found to be important predictors of cotton dust-related allergic asthma among textile workers. Conclusions: Textile workers in two companies in Nam Dinh, Vietnam had a high prevalence of dust-related allergic asthma compared to estimates from the general population. There is a need to design appropriate measures of prevention, screening, and care for dust-related asthma in the textile industry. Further evaluation with better exposure assessment is necessary.

Expression of epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin among Indian workers exposed to cotton fibre dust in textile industries

Background: In India, around 20 million workers are engaged in the textile industries. However, the prevalence of byssinosis has been little reported. Aims: To determine the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory disorders among workers exposed to cotton dust in textile mills in Delhi, India. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 156 workers employed in 15 cotton textile mills, and expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin (CK) marker proteins was investigated. Information regarding respiratory symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history was also gathered. Results: Symptoms were observed in 56.41% of the workers. Expression of EMA and CK was observed in 27.5% and 50% of the workers, respectively. Expression of EMA and CK was significantly associated with smoking and duration of employment. Conclusion: Measures are needed to reduce dust levels in the workplace, and to discourage smoking and alcohol consumption among the textile workers.

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE AWARENESS REGARDING BYSSINOSIS & ITS PREVENTION AMONG TEXTILE WORKERS AT JODHPUR, WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP INFORMATION BOOKLET

INTRODUCTION: Byssinosis is one of the oldest occupational lung disease, which is incurable and is caused by inhalation of cotton dust. Byssinosis is preventable disease. Still this disease kills thousands of workers around the worlds every year. Various studies have should that the textile workers due not having awareness regarding byssinosis and its prevention. In this study, distribution of booklet among textile workers is an attempt to improve the knowledge regarding byssinosis and it/s prevention. AIM OF THE STUDY: Assess the awareness regarding byssinosis & its prevention among textile workers. METERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive study was carried out to assess the awareness of 100 textile workers selected by purposive sampling, who were workers in different textile mill in Jodhpur Rajasthan were assessed by using a structured knowledge questionnaire and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. RESULT: The findings of the study reveals that to the level of awareness shows that majority (73%) of the sample had poor awareness followed by 19% had good awareness and remaining (8%) sample had average awareness regarding byssinosis and its prevention. However the majority of the demographic variables such as age, level of education, marital status, religion, monthly income, working experience, type of work, working hours per day and existing pulmonary disease were found significant association with the level of awareness regarding Byssinosis and its prevention except age of starting work and duration of smoking. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that textile workers have poor awareness regarding byssinosis as per current research recommendations. They require education and to enhance their awareness regarding byssinosis. Self-information booklets were distributed to them to improve the awareness regarding byssinosis and its prevention. KEY WORDS: Awareness, Textile workers, Byssinosis, Information booklet.

Analogous Labor To The Slave In The Brazilian Textile Industry

The institute of slavery has been present in humanity since the beginning of the existence of the human being. Slavery in Brazil has sustained the economy for centuries. Millions of Africans were taken from their homeland and placed in degrading conditions of life and work. The process of abolishing slavery was time-consuming and gradual. There were centuries of much struggle and suffering for the world to begin to realize the evil that slavery represents. Even after the abolition of slavery it was common to see the worker trapped in the field by debts, or by laws that empowered employers in relation to the employee. The objective of this research was to analyze the working conditions analogous to the slave in the Brazilian textile industry. It was carried out with bibliographic review and qualitative analysis. Due to his new clothing contemporary slave labor became invisible for some time. The factors that make it possible to commit this crime, even if in today, it is basically related to a tripod: impunity, poverty and profit. The situation of misery of the neediest population forces them to undergo types of work in subhuman conditions. These textile workers are mainly immigrants from neighboring, underdeveloped countries from Latin America. Brazil was one of the first countries in the world to recognize this type of work, and that jointly with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and oysternon-governmental entities seek to combat such criminal practice on their territory.

Assessment of respiratory dust exposure and lung functions among workers in textile mill (Thamine), Myanmar: a cross-sectional study

Background Airborne dusts are being potentially harmful for workers in occupational environment. Exposure to respirable dust is the most important concern in textile workers for the widespread of occupational lung diseases, especially more serious in developing countries. The aim of the study was to assess the respirable dust exposure and associated factors of lung functions among textile workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at a textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December, 2018 and a total of 207 textile workers were randomly selected by using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, an air sampling pump for assessment of respirable dust exposure, and a spirometer for testing the lung functions. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of lung functions. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were computed for strength of associations at the significance level of α ≤ 0.05. Results The mean (± standard deviation, SD) respirable dust exposure was 3.3 mg/m3 (± 0.69) and the prevalence of increased respirable dust exposure (> 3 mg/m3) was 50.7%. The level of respirable dust exposure was highest in the textile workers involving at twisting department. The means (± SD) spirometry values were FVC 82.8% (± 17.8), FEV1 83.6% (± 18.5), and FEV1/FVC 0.9 (± 0.1). Overall magnitude of reduced lung functions was 40.1%, and the prevalence of reduced FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were 36.7, 34.3 and 3.9% respectively. The current working at twisting department, > 5 years of service duration, respiratory symptoms and increased respirable dust exposure were associated with reduction in FVC and FEV1. Conclusions The current working department, service duration, respiratory symptoms and exposure to respirable dust were predictors of lung functions in textile workers. An adequate ventilation, good work practices, hygienic workplace, safety and health training regarding potential health effects, and periodically assessment of lung functions are the critical elements for control of respirable dust exposure and reduction of occupational lung diseases.