title: Cross-sectional study on the endotoxin exposure and lung function impairment in the workers of textile industry near Lahore, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of airborne endotoxin on lung function impairment in exposure-response relationships among the workers of textile industry.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted at Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to August 2014, and comprised textile mill workers. The participants were divided into exposed and control groups. A questionnaire was used to ask workers about the potential adverse health effects of their occupation. The pulmonary function test was carried out by spirometer. Endotoxin levels in the samples were determined using the key quality characteristics limulus amebocyte lysate. The data was analysed to determine the correlation between the endotoxin exposure duration and pulmonary function test parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 200 subjects subdivided into 100 each inexposed and control groups. Overall, 160(80%) were not aware of safety measures and the remaining 40(20%) were partially practising. Changes in pulmonary function due to endotoxin exposure showed decreased force vital capacity, flow rate and peak expiratory flow parameters significantly different (p<0.05, p<0.001). The endotoxin concentration was between 12EU/m3 and 300EU/m3. Airborne endotoxin concentrations in textile plants exceeded the Dutch health-based guidance limit of 90EU/m3 and was associated with respiratory health effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged exposure to airborne endotoxin caused constant lung impairment. Proper safety measures should be adopted to avoid the inhalation of cotton dust.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Science Department, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghani
authors.affiliation: Environmental Science Department, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Anum
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalid
authors.affiliation: Environmental Science Department, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Arifa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tahir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010154:Pakistan; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013783:Textile Industry / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins
keywords: Endotoxin, Ameaobocyte Lysate assay, Pulmonary function, Force vital capacity.