Byssinosis in a Nontextile Worker1,2

A nontextile worker was observed on 4 successive days in a cotton textile mill for the development of respiratory systems and changes in pulmonary flows and arterial oxygenation. The subject had a history of childhood asthma. Acute, profound decreases in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and arterial oxygen tension were noted within 15 minutes of entering the mill and were correlated with the development of severe shortness of breath. On successive days, comparable objective changes were noted but without as severe shortness of breath. These findings suggested that a history of asthma may increase the likelihood of reaction to cotton dust, that a prior period of sensitization to cotton dust is probably not essential, that no objective improvement was noted on successive days of exposure, and that very severe changes in pulmonary flow and arterial oxygenation may occur in a nontextile worker.