Some Observations on Epidemiologic Studies in Egyptian Gins, Cotton Pressing Plants and Cottonseed Oil Extraction Plants

¹ Chairman, Occupational Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, University of Alexandria, Egypt

The follow-up studies presented in this report were conducted to evaluate the impact of the relative technical improvements that took place in the cotton processing industries of Egypt in the last 10-15 years on the health of the workers. Results have indicated that: 1) the health status of the workers has been relatively improved; however, their work environment is far from being safe. 2) The prevalence of byssinosis and reduction in FEV₁ during the first day of work after the weekend are related to the duration of exposure, level of dustiness and content of plant debris in dust. 3) Chronic effect of exposure to cotton dust, demonstrated as reduction in predicted FVC, develops in workers continuing exposure for long durations, even if the classic symptoms of byssinosis and reduction in FEV₁, do not occur. 4) Women workers are more liable to be affected by cotton dust exposure than the men. 5) "Cottonseed dust" may not be a "byssinnogenic" dust; however, it is capable of producing ventilatory function effects similar to those produced by cotton dust.