PULMONARY MANIFESTATIONS, PULMONARY FUNCTION CHANGES AND BRONCHO ALVEOLAR LAVAGE (BAL) CELLULAR PATTERN AMONG WORKERS EXPOSED TO COTTON DUST IN EGYPTIAN TEXTILE FACTORY AT HELWAN

Abstract

Occupational exposure to particulate matter and gases carries a great risk to the pulmonary system. Studies of these hazards have been studied carefully and there effects on the lungs were proved. Cotton dust is present in the air during processing of cotton; this dust contains a mixture of many substances including plant matter, fibres, bacteria, fungi, soil, non-cotton materials and other contaminants. Exposure to cotton dust means serious health problems. The first symptom of this disease is difficulty of breathing and perhaps chest tightness. This problem has been studied at so many textiles factories all over the world because there was as many as 100 000 workers in cotton industry were at risk from cotton exposure. An estimated 35000 individuals were disabled from byssinosis as a result to exposure to cotton dust. Byssinosis has been defined as a syndrome characterized by gradual onset of dyspnea on the first day of working days after a weekend or a leave of absence from work.