Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Blood Histamine in Textile Mill Workers

Byssinosis is an asthma-like condition in cotton-mill workersand is related to blood histamine and respiratory function.In a preliminary study the peak expiratory flow rate (PERF)values and blood histamine (measured by bioassay method) levelswere compared in workers exposed to cotton dust, i.e. byssinotics(n = 12) and non-byssinotics (n = 12), and unexposed workers(n = 15). The PEFR showed a negative relationship with the histaminelevels of blood in the cotton-dust exposed workers and whencompared to control subjects (P <0.001). The PEFR was maximalwhen blood histamine levels were in a range of 0 to 5 µg/mland dropped down to the lowest level when the blood histaminewas more than 10 µg/ml. This exact relationship was demonstratedby a correlation coefficient and regression equation. This observationis in confirmation with the lung function test of these subjects. Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Dr H. Venkatakrishna-Bhatt, Scientist and Head, Division of Agricultural Health, National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad 380016 (Gujarat), India.