摘要：This study presents the results of an investigation of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and chest X-ray examinations, and analysis of antibodies to fungi of 197 tussah silk-processing workers and 40 control workers. An industrial hygiene survey and environmental mycological studies were also conducted. The dust concentrations in tussah silk processing workshops were less than 5.1 mg/m3 on average, with a maximum of 7.8 mg/m3 below the national health limit of 10 mg/m3. Most dusts in all tussah silk processing workshops contained less than 1.2% silica. Numbers of isolated fungi in tussah silk processing workshops [755-6,544 cfu/m3 (colony forming unit/m3), were significantly higher than those in control environments (63-472 cfu/m3). The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in tussah silk processing workers were higher than those in control workers. The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in exposed male non-smoking workers were 44.4% with chronic cough, and 38.9% with chronic phlegm respectively, which were significantly higher than those (12.5%, 12.5% respectively) in male non-smoking control workers ( p <0.05). The prevalences in exposed male smoking workers were 42.9% with dyspnea, and 38.1% with chest tightness respectively, which were significantly higher than those (16.7%, 8.3% respectively) in male smoking control workers ( p <0.01). The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in exposed female workers were 25.3% with chronic cough, 38.0% with chronic phlegm, 31.0% with dyspnea, and 29.1% with chest tightness respectively, which were significantly higher than those (10.0%, 10.0%, 10.0%, 5.0% respectively) in female control workers ( p <0.01). Fifteen exposed workers often suffered from fever. Five X-rays were abnormal and four cases had nodular or patchy shadows. The prevalences of pulmonary function abnormalities in the exposed female group were significantly higher than those in control groups ( p <0.01). The OD450nm values for antibodies to fungi in tussah silk processing workers were significantly higher than those of control workers ( p <0.05). The positive rates of anti-fungal antibodies in tussah silk-processing workers were also significantly higher than those of control workers ( p <0.01). The results suggested that fungi might be one of the main allergens in respiratory diseases in the tussah silk processing workers.
