Comparative Study between the Effect of Short Term and Long Term Exposure to Cotton Dust on Pulmonary Function Tests in Cotton Mill Workers

Abstract

Background Byssinosis is the most common disease affecting the cotton textile workers; symptom complexes like mill fever, weaver's cough, mattress-maker‘s cough, also occur in textile workers. 1Cotton workers are at risk for occupational lung disease, including byssinosis and chronic bronchitis3. The present study was done to compare the effect of short term exposure and long term exposure to cotton dust in cotton mill workers and suggest precautions them to prevent this. Objective To compare the effect of short term and long term exposure to cotton dust on pulmonary function tests in cotton mill workers. Method In this study, one group of fifty workers exposed for short term duration and other sixty four, for long term duration exposure were examined for PFTs of age 25–50 years. PFTs were carried out using spirometer. Results or observations The present study found that there is statistically significant difference in PFTs between the short term exposed group and long term exposure group of 25–50 years age. Discussion & conclusion The results of the present study helped us to understand and compare the shortterm and long term exposure group better and suggest workers to take precautions to avoid more subtle effects that can occur.