Byssinosis

Byssinosis is an occupational lung disease caused by inhaling cotton or jute dust in inadequately ventilated working environments, developing over time with repeated exposure. It commonly occurs in textile workers employed in yarn and fabric manufacturing, and while cotton dust itself is thought to directly cause the disease, some researchers believe the causative agents are endotoxins from the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria that grow on the cotton, a point that remains uncertain. Current smokers face additional risk of developing byssinosis or its complications.