Respiratory symptoms and cross-shift lung function in relation to cotton dust and endotoxin exposure in textile workers in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesInhalation of a cotton-based particulates has previously been associated with respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. This study investigates the respiratory health of Nepalese textile workers in relation to dust and endotoxin exposure.MethodsA total of 938 individuals from four s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2015-12, Vol.72 (12), p.870-876
Main Authors: Paudyal, Priyamvada, Semple, Sean, Gairhe, Santosh, Steiner, Markus F C, Niven, Rob, Ayres, Jon G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Airborne microorganisms
Clothing industry
Cotton
Cotton Fiber - statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dust
Dust - analysis
Endotoxins
Endotoxins - adverse effects
Endotoxins - analysis
Exposure
Factories
Female
Forced Expiratory Volume
Garments
Health
Humans
Inhalation
Inhalation Exposure - adverse effects
Inhalation Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Lung diseases
Male
Nepal - epidemiology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Questionnaires
Recycling
Reduction
Respiratory function
Respiratory Tract Diseases - chemically induced
Respiratory Tract Diseases - epidemiology
Spirometry
Surveys and Questionnaires
Textile industry
Textile Industry - statistics & numerical data
Textiles
Vital Capacity
Workers
Workplace
Young Adult
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Summary:ObjectivesInhalation of a cotton-based particulates has previously been associated with respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. This study investigates the respiratory health of Nepalese textile workers in relation to dust and endotoxin exposure.MethodsA total of 938 individuals from four sectors (garment, carpet, weaving and recycling) of the textile industry in Kathmandu, Nepal completed a health questionnaire and performed spirometry. A subset (n=384) performed cross-shift spirometry. Personal exposure to inhalable dust and airborne endotoxin was measured during a full shift for 114 workers.ResultsThe overall prevalence of persistent cough, persistent phlegm, wheeze ever, breathlessness ever and chest tightness ever was 8.5%, 12.5%, 3.2%, 6.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Symptoms were most common among recyclers and least common among garment workers. Exposure to inhalable dust significantly predicted persistent cough and chest tightness. Exposure to endotoxin did not have any independent predictive effect. Significant cross-shift reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were found (p
ISSN:1351-0711
1470-7926
DOI:10.1136/oemed-2014-102718