Differential diagnosis of byssinosis by blood histamine and pulmonary function test: a review and an appraisal.

A study was conducted on byssinotic (N = 8) and nonbyssinotic (N = 16) mill workers exposed to cotton dust and on controls (N = 15) from a cotton dust-free zone. They were examined for chest tightness and breathlessness during successive days from Mondays to Fridays. In addition to monitoring the workers only on Mondays after shift work, their blood histamine levels and pulmonary function tests such as FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25-75% (PEFR represents airflow of larger airways, FEF25-75% reflects airflow in smaller airways, and FEV1 represents airflow in both central and peripheral airways) were screened, but Monday data were only counted to appraise a contrast between these two parameters.

The relation of exposure to asbestos and smoking habit with pulmonary function tests and chest radiograph.

Environmental cum medical study was conducted in asbestos cement factory. The environment was evaluated for asbestos fiber by the methods recommended by BIS. Total 355 exposed and 312 suitably matched control workers were investigated by spirometer, Wright's peak flow meter and full sized postero-anterior chest radiograph.