ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION & ITS HEALTH EFFECT AMONG WORKERS IN TEXTILES SECTOR IN GIZA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Rationale: The degree to which chronic respiratory health effects caused by exposures to cotton dust and endotoxin is augmented by exposure to volatile organic compounds,(VOCs). Objectives: To investigate changes in lung function and respiratory symptoms among textile workers and to determine whether exposure to cotton dust, endotoxin and VOCS modify the associations. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed consisting of 447 cotton textile workers exposed to cotton dust and VOCs,in cotton fabrics and 472 cotton textile workers in other departments with no exposure to VOCs, with a 3-year follow-up. Respiratory questionnaires and Spirometry testing were conducted at 3-year intervals. Odds ratios of respiratory symptom prevalence and the average 3-year change in FEV1 were determined. Results: Textile workers exposed to cotton dust and VOCs were associated with 25.6 ml/yr fall in FEV1 compared to 22.5 ml/yr fall in FEV1 in cotton textile workers unexposed to VOCs (p=0.02). The risk of symptoms of chronic cough, chronic bronchitis and asthma was larger for textile workers exposed to VOCs than for unexposed cotton workers,(p˂0.001).