Byssinosis, an occupational lung disease, is caused by exposure to which specific organic dust, and the characteristic feature distinguishing it from other occupational lung diseases is:

• A Coal dust; Monday fever with airway obstruction worsening across the working week
• B Cotton, flax, or hemp dust; symptoms worst on the first day of work after a break (Monday morning tightness) ✓
• C Grain dust; symptoms appearing after 4–6 hours of exposure (farmer's lung pattern)
• D Asbestos fibres; pleural plaques and lower lobe fibrosis

Explanation

Byssinosis is caused by inhalation of cotton, flax, hemp, or jute dust. The hallmark feature is chest tightness and dyspnoea that is worst on the FIRST day of work after a weekend break ('Monday morning tightness' or 'Monday fever'), improving as the week progresses due to tachyphylaxis. This distinguishes it from farmer's lung (hypersensitivity pneumonitis from thermophilic actinomycetes, symptoms 4–6 hours after exposure), coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. Byssinosis is graded by the Fletcher scale.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.