The Cotton Dust Papers: Science, Politics, and Power in the "Discovery" of Byssinosis in the U.S

by Charles Levenstein, Gregory Delaurier, Mary Lee Dunn

"The Cotton Dust Papers" is the story of the 50-year struggle for recognition in the U.S. of this pernicious occupational disease. The authors contend that byssinosis could have and should have been recognized much sooner, as a great deal was known about the disease as early as the 1930s. Using mostly primary sources, the authors explore three instances from the 1930s to the 1960s in which evidence suggested the existence of brown lung in the mills, yet nothing was done. What the story of byssinosis makes clear is that the economic and political power of private owners and managers can hinder and shape the work of health investigators.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Charles Levenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the lead author of this book -- the others are Greg Delaurier and Mary Lee Dunn. It's really a good book!