Respiratory risks in broiler production workers

Abstract

There are many situations that involve health risks to the Brazilian rural worker, and animal production is just one of them. Inhalation of organic dust, which has many microorganisms, leads in general to respiratory allergic reactions in some individuals, "asthma-like syndrome", and mucous membrane inflammation syndrome, that is a complex of nasal, eye, and throat complaints. Furthermore, workers might have farmer's hypersensitivity pneumonia, that is a respiratory health risk along the years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential pulmonary health risks in poultry production workers in the region of Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Interviews using a pre-elaborated questionnaire with 40 questions were made with 37 broiler production workers, which were submitted to a pulmonary function test. Results of restrictive function with lower FEV1 (the maximum respiratory potential, the forced expiratory volume in the first second of exhalation) and FVC (forced vital capacity) represented 24.32% of the total of workers, and severe obstruction represented 2.70%. Other symptoms were found in 67.57% of the workers as well. The results showed that those who work more than 4 years and within more than one poultry house, exceeding 5 hours per day of work, presented higher pulmonary health risks. It is concluded that the activities within broiler houses may induce allergic respiratory reaction in workers. The use of IPE (individual protection equipment) besides special attention to the air quality inside the housing may be advised in a preventive way

Comparison of indoor and outdoor fungi and particles in poultry units

“…In these cases, and in most of the workers, the loss of FEV approximately doubles, causing a significant lung disease [10,25]. In a study developed by Zuskin et al [26] measured lung function in 343 poultry farm workers, FEV and FVC (forced expiratory vital capacity) were significantly lower than the predicted.…”

Evaluation of a sprinkler cooling system on inhalable dust and ammonia concentrations in broiler chicken production

“…This could be due to inhalation of environmental contaminants; specifically, inhalation exposure to poultry dust has been associated with respiratory symptoms and lung diseases among agricultural workers, including broiler chicken production workers (Iversen et al, 2000;Alencar et al, 2004). Because mold and mites thrive in the poultry litter environment, workers may also present with sensitization allergic reactions to mold and/or dust mites (Rimac et al, 2010).…”

“…Inhalation of dust and/or gases in animal housing can lead to respiratory diseases (Mutel and Donham, 1983). Specifically, inhalation exposure to poultry dust has been associated with respiratory symptoms and lung diseases among agriculture workers, including broiler chicken production workers (Iversen et al, 2000;de Alencar et al, 2004). Poultry workers may also have sensitization allergic reactions to mold and/or dust mites which thrive in the poultry litter environment (Rimac et al, 2010).…”

Exposure to dust in poultry: the importance of task differences for detailed exposure assessment

“…The response can be acute, recurrent or chronic in the lungs, depending mainly on the frequency and level of exposure [6].…”