Byssinosis and other respiratory conditions as related to dust exposure in mechanical flax processing in Egypt

ABSTRACT

This study comprised half [n =224] of the workers in a typical flax processing factory in Egypt. Byssinosis was present in 45.1% of the workers, 38.0% of them had their FEV[1.0], reduced >/= 10% and 96.9% had the predicted FVC prevalence rates than those reported in manual and semi-mechanical processing and in the flax textile industry were attributed to higher air-borne dust levels, especially in the operations where flax wastes are processed. The prevalence rates and grades of byssinosis, the decline in FEV[1.0] and FVC, and the prevalence rates of chronic bronchitis bronchial asthma and cough were related to duration and level of dust exposure The presented data, however, could not demonstrate a significant effect of smoking the investigated signs and symptoms contradicting in this respect, our previous experience. It has been suggested that this phendmenon might be attributed to the higher levels of dust exposure in this industry which could have masked the effects of smoking