The authors submit the results of examination of 125 workers of a cotton spinning mill. The objective of the work was to assess the incidence of respiratory symptoms and level of basic pulmonary parameters with regard to the general dustiness and microbio- logical characteristic of atmosphere of the workplace. The methods comprised a modified respiratory questionnaire of the British Research Council and assessment of pulmonary functions using the method of flow/volume curves. The authors examined immu- noglobulins A, E, G, M and specific IgE for cotton. The mean of whole-shift dust concentrations in the spinning mill was 3.06 mg/m 3 (SD1.5, med. 3.4, range 0.8–5.28). The microbial contamination of the working atmosphere was high. In different parts of the workshop it amounted from 13 000 to 136 000 micro-organisms per 1 m 3 , 33% workers reported at least one respiratory symptom associated with their work. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was as high as 8.8%. Bysinotic symptoms were reported by 4.8% of the examined subjects. A mild chronic respiratory disorder with reduction of FEV1 was found in 6.4% subjects, more severe disorders were not detected. Although the incidence of subjective complains in the spinning mill was relatively high, it was not associated with permanent deterioration of pulmonary functions.

        Key words: cotton, textiles, respiratory symptoms, bysinosis