Brown Lung

 

Byssinosis or brown lung is a lung disease that is similar to a type of asthma.  It is caused by inhaling particles of unprocessed cotton in the air.  Mild cases can last for less than week and only include a tight chest and some difficulty breathing.  The severity of the symptoms depends on length of exposure to the raw cotton, and extended exposure could cause permanent issues with fatigue, pain, breathing, and a cough.  Often, the best cure would be limiting exposure to the cotton.

In the textile industry, especially during the time period of Norma Rae, workers were highly at risk to Byssinosis.  Work conditions were poor, and the workers’ health was not a priority for employers.  Over a third of workers had brown lung, and because of the confrontational relationship with factory owners, little was done to help the working people.  This issue, along with the lack of various health benefits, was a leading issue with unionizers.