Byssinosis is a lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of textile fiber dust and primarily affects workers in cotton processing, hemp or flax industries. According to Corn (1981), recognition of byssinosis came late. In the late 1960s, medical professionals stated that the disease does not exist within the American textile mills. It is not until the 1970s the science community showed that it does exist. With the mobilization of public opinion, changes in social attitudes, new scientific evidence, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act led to setting standards to control and eradicate byssinosis called the Cotton Dust Standard There is the Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention and they include OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Department of Agriculture, the National Cotton Council, the American Textile Manufacturers Institute and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. The last regulatory review of the standard was done in 2000, and the new amendment stated that "textile manufacturers that use an improved method of washing raw cotton to eliminate the risk of 'brown lung' will be exempt from all provisions of the OSHA cotton dust standard."
Citations:
Corn, J. K. (1981). Byssinosis—An historical perspective. American journal of industrial medicine, 2(4), 331-352.
https://www.ehstoday.com/news/ehs_imp_34273
Hi Sandy,
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this disease. It's crazy to think that its existence was doubted and straight up denied. It makes me think of how many other conditions or phenomena have their existence doubted and thus is preventing us from taking action against them.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing this stuff happens until it does. As science, testing and technology get better we will see new diseases and comorbidities increase as a result. We will need to be on top of continuing education for sure. Dan