ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL LUNG FUNCTION IMPAIRMENT IN TEXTILE WORKERS IN FAISALABAD: A CROSS-SECTIONAL INDUSTRIAL HEALTH STUDY
Keywords:
Air Pollutants, Cotton Dust, Cross-Sectional Studies, Lung Diseases, Occupational Exposure, Pulmonary Function Tests, Spirometry, Textile Industry, Workers’ HealthAbstract
BACKGROUND: Textile industry workers are chronically exposed to cotton dust and airborne particulates that contribute to respiratory morbidity and lung function decline. In Pakistan, especially in Faisalabad’s industrial sector, limited research has quantified the impact of occupational exposure using standardized pulmonary assessments.
OBJECTIVE: To assess occupational lung function impairment among textile workers in Faisalabad using spirometry and to determine its correlation with years of exposure to cotton dust.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to November 2023 among 285 workers employed in spinning, weaving, and dyeing units of textile mills in Faisalabad. Participants aged 18–55 years with at least one year of continuous employment were included. Lung function was measured using a calibrated EasyOne® spirometer following ATS/ERS 2019 guidelines. Ambient dust concentrations were quantified using the UCB-PATS monitoring system and categorized into low (<0.5 mg/m³), moderate (0.5–1.0 mg/m³), and high (>1.0 mg/m³) exposure levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression tested associations between spirometric indices and exposure duration, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 34.6 ± 9.2 years, and the mean employment duration was 10.4 ± 5.8 years. Mean FEV₁ and FVC were 81.3 ± 12.5% and 88.7 ± 10.9%, respectively. Workers in high-exposure areas showed significantly lower mean FEV₁ (74.2 ± 10.4%) compared to those in low-exposure groups (87.9 ± 8.3%; p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation was found between years of employment and FEV₁ (r = -0.62; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Prolonged occupational exposure to textile dust significantly impairs lung function in Faisalabad workers. Routine spirometric screening, workplace dust control, and strict occupational safety enforcement are essential to prevent chronic respiratory impairment.
KEY TERMS: Air Pollutants, Cotton Dust, Cross-Sectional Studies, Lung Diseases, Occupational Exposure, Pulmonary Function Tests, Spirometry, Textile Industry, Workers’ Health
