The relationship of byssinosis to the bacteria and fungi in the air of textile mills

Abstract

The principal causative agent of byssinosis lies in the dust of cotton mills. This dust contains bacteria and fungi. An attempt has been made to determine whether any association could be established between the numbers of viable bacteria and fungi in the air of two cotton and two jute mills, and the prevalence of byssinosis. No association was found except between the numbers of live organisms of B. pumilus and B. subtilis, and the occurrence of byssinosis. This association does not establish a causal relationship, but it is suggested that an attempt should be made to produce typical symptoms in byssinotic subjects by means of organisms of the genus Bacillus. A subsequent paper presents the results of some observations of this kind.