Cotton Fiber & Lung Diseases

Exposure to raw cotton can cause lung disease. A man named Jesse Leach documented this in 1863 amid reports of disease and early death in Lancashire (England) cotton mills. Plants have come a long way since then. They now properly inform their workers of the risks. They also have preventative measures to ensure employees do not develop debilitating and often fatal pulmonary diseases.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Ill health from working in the cotton textile industry is no secret. Cotton dust settles in the lungs of workers. Over time, this leads to a debilitating disease of the lungs known as COPD. It causes the air passages in the lungs to lose their elasticity and harden. This causes diminished lung capacity and destroys the sac walls around the lungs. The walls of the airways also become thick or inflamed with increased mucus production often blocking them.

Byssinosis

• According to the North Carolina Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Heath Program, raw cotton dust is to blame for several forms of breathing difficulty and lung disease. Byssinosis is a disease that causes progressive chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Health officials believe the cause of byssinosis in cotton workers relates to a contaminant in the raw cotton, although evidence is still inconclusive. Health providers carefully monitor workers for symptoms (shortness of breath, increased mucus production) of what will develop into a debilitating pulmonary disease.

Prevention of Cotton-induced Lung Disease

• OSHA regulations require employers to inform workers of the potential risks of cotton fiber and dust exposure in the specific areas where they work. Employees must wear respirators in certain areas of the mill to reduce exposure and prevent long-term lung damage. Companies test the fitted respirators to ensure they work properly. Workers must take precautions and stay informed to avoid these forms of disease.