Airway inflammation among compost workers exposed to actinomycetes spores

Abstract

Objectives. To study the associations between exposure to bioaerosols and work-related symptoms, lung function and biomarkers of airway inflammation in compost workers. Materials and method. Personal full-shift exposure measurements were performed on 47 workers employed at five windrow plants (n=20) and five reactor plants (n=27). Samples were analyzed for endotoxins, bacteria, fungal and actinomycetes spores. Health examinations were performed on workers and 37 controls before and after work on the day exposure was measured. The examinations included symptoms recorded by questionnaire, lung function by spirometry and nasal dimensions by acoustic rhinometry (AR). The pneumoproteins CC16, SP-D and SPA were measured in a blood sample drawn at the end of the day. Results. The levels of endotoxins (median 3 EU/m 3 , range 0-730 EU/m 3) and actinomycetes spores (median 0.2 × 10 6 spores/m 3 , range 0-590 × 10 6 spores/m 3) were significantly higher in reactor plants compared to windrow plants. However, windrow composting workers reported more symptoms than reactor composting workers, probably due to use of respiratory protection. Exposure-response relationships between actinomycetes spores exposure and respiratory effects, found as cough and nose irritation during a shift, was significantly increased (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1-16, OR 6.1, 95% CI 1.5-25, respectively, p<0.05) among workers exposed to 0.02-0.3 × 10 6 actinomycetes spores/m 3 , and FEV 1 /FVC% decreased cross shift (b=-3.2, SE=1.5%, p<0.01). Effects were weaker in the highest exposed group, but these workers used respiratory protection, frequently limiting their actual exposure. No relationships were found between exposure and pneumoprotein concentrations. Conclusions. The major agent in the aerosol generated at compost plants was actinomycetes spores which was associated with work related cough symptoms and work-shift lung function decrease.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis onset and severity is regulated by CD103 dendritic cell expression

“…One common form of HP is farmer’s lung disease, caused by exposure to aerosolized Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (SR) antigen, a bacteria found in moldy hay [3]. Recently, high concentrations of SR were also detected in composting plants bioaerosols [4] and associated with the development of HP in workers [5, 6]. This pathology is studied using a mouse model of exposure to an SR antigen preparation, and is defined as a highly polarized T H 17 inflammatory response [7], where DCs play a major role in disease development and T cells (mainly T H 17 CD4 + ) are the hallmark of chronic disease severity [7–15].…”

Effects of bioaerosol exposure on respiratory health in compost workers: a 13-year follow-up study

“…Conversely, exposure to organic dust caused a cross-shift decline in FEV 1 in 99 refuse workers, 8 of whom were compost workers 15. In another study, Heldal et al 25 who performed health examinations on 47 compost workers before and after work reported a significant cross-shift change in FEV 1 /FVC in relation to exposure against actinomycetes spores. Additionally, FVC %predicted was found to be lower in compost workers (102.2%) compared to the controls (109.5%) before work, a result that was similar to what was observed in the current analysis.…”

Respiratory System Symptoms in the Neighborhood of a Wastewater Treatment Plant

“…Endotoxins are introduced into the body by inhalation and initiate the release of infl ammatory mediators, which then cross the blood-brain barrier [5]. Chronic exposure to high concentrations of endotoxins in the air may lead to a toxic effect (chronic bronchitis, toxic pneumonia) and a decline in lung function [5][6]. According to the available literature and research conducted by the authors, the residents generally did not complain of chronic respiratory symptoms (except for asthma), which can be explained by the lower exposure of the local population compared to the exposure of employees [8][9][15][16].…”

“…Typically, results are drawn from a health survey of occupationally exposed employees of wastewater treatment plants and composting plants [3][4][5][6][7]. The reported disease symptoms are often associated with odour nuisance caused by odour emissions [8,15].…”

“…Numerous articles have already dealt with occupational exposure and health effects among employees in wastewater treatment plants [3][4][5] and composting plants [6][7]. On the other hand, there are only a few published studies on the impact of such plants on the health of local populations (e.g., Aatamila [8] and Herr [9]).…”