Immunological reactions and respiratory function in wool textile workers

Abstract

Immunological status and respiratory function were studied in a group of 64 wool textile workers (52 women and 12 men). A group of 46 workers not exposed to wool dust served as a control for the respiratory symptoms and immunologic testing. Skin testing was performed with different wool allergens (domestic and Australian) as well as with common allergens. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers on Mondays before and after the work shift. The prevalence of positive skin tests to all allergens was higher in wool than in control workers, although the difference was statistically significant only for washed domestic wool (wool workers: 42.2%; control workers: 19.6%; p < 0.05). Increased serum IgE levels were more frequent in wool (26.6%) than in control workers (3.1%) (p < 0.01). In wool textile workers there was a high prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. Significant across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity tests, as well as abnormal baseline lung function, were recorded in wool textile workers. Individual data demonstrated that many of the wool workers had FEF25 lower than 70% of predicted. In general, the prevalence of symptoms and the lung function abnormalities did not correlate with the results of specific (wool) skin tests. Our data indicate that exposure to wool dust in some workers may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function. Immunologic abnormalities, although frequent in this group, do not appear to be associated with the severity of these changes.