Pulmonary Disease amongst Sisal Workers

Reduced lung function among sisal processors

“…Our findings are in accordance with an old study showing reduced lung function among sisal brushers 3. However, our findings are different from a previous study from Tanzania8 showing a fall in FVC and FEV 1 among sisal workers with byssinosis grade II but not among other sisal workers.…”

“…Previous studies have raised concern about respiratory health among sisal workers as they are exposed to high levels of dust2–4 and some studies have shown a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among these workers 3 5 6. However, objective measures of health are needed to support the expected relationship between work in sisal processing and lung disorders.…”

“…However, objective measures of health are needed to support the expected relationship between work in sisal processing and lung disorders. The few studies of lung function among sisal workers have demonstrated conflicting results, with some showing a decline in lung function among sisal workers3 5 7 8 and others not 2 9. Most of the studies have examined workers in spinning and rope factories, which are the last stages of sisal production.…”

A clinical and radiographic study of coir workers.

“…Byssinosis occurs in subjects working with cotton, flax (Elwood et al, 1965), and soft hemp (Valic et al, 1968), but ropeworkers using hard hemp and manila do not get byssinosis (Munt, Gauvain, Walford, and Schilling, 1965). Stott (1958) did not find byssinosis among sisal workers in Kenya but he detected four cases with apical fibrosis which he concluded were probably related to the occupation. Mair, Smith, Wilson, and Lockhart (1960), in an investigation of jute workers in Dundee, failed to find any evidence of respiratory disease which could be attributed to their occupation.…”

“…The mechanics of industrial pulmonary disease due to the inhalation of organic dusts are not well understood (Pepys, 1966). They may affect the lungs in many ways (Stott, 1958). First, they may produce asthmatic and bronchitic conditions: dusts of certain woods and gums, for example, cause asthma, while cotton workers may develop byssinosis.…”