Endotoxin exposure and symptoms in wastewater treatment workers

Smit, Lidwien A M; Spaan, Suzanne; Heederik, Dick

doi:10.1002/ajim.20176

Cited by 91 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A significantly increased risk for chronic bronchitis and pneumonia has been reported for sewage workers, [11][12][13][14] and possible causative agents include viruses, other microorganisms, and endotoxins. [14][15][16] Smit et al 17 even reported a dose-response relationship between endotoxin exposures and flu-like symptoms. Chemical irritants such as lime, ammonia, and alkyl amines also may contribute to broncho-obstructive and inflammatory responses.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Health Survey of Residents Living Near Farm Fields Permitted to Receive Biosolids

Khuder

Milz

Bisesi

et al. 2007

Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The authors studied the health status of residents living in Wood County, OH, near farm fields that were permitted to receive biosolids. They mailed a health survey to 607 households and received completed surveys from 437 people exposed to biosolids (living on or within 1 mile of the fields where application was permitted) and from 176 people not exposed to biosolids (living more than 1 mile from the fields where application was permitted). The authors allowed for up to 6 surveys per household. Results revealed that some reported health-related symptoms were statistically significantly elevated among the exposed residents, including excessive secretion of tears, abdominal bloating, jaundice, skin ulcer, dehydration, weight loss, and general weakness. The frequency of reported occurrence of bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, and giardiasis were also statistically significantly elevated. The findings suggest an increased risk for certain respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other diseases among residents living near farm fields on which the use of biosolids was permitted. However, further studies are needed to address the limitations cited in this study.

show abstract

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An increased risk for central nervous symptoms such as unusual tiredness has been reported among sewage workers 15,17 and among persons in an organic dust environment. 25 We observed an increased risk for arthritis and osteoarthritis in this study.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Survey of Residents Living Near Farm Fields Permitted to Receive Biosolids

Khuder

Milz

Bisesi

et al. 2007

Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The study was approved by the Bioethical Committee, Military Institute of Medicine, Warszawa, Poland. increased risk of irritation of the respiratory system, eyes, and skin as well as the neurological and gastric symptoms among sewage workers and landfill workers [18][19]. The upper respiratory tract with the olfactory and gustatory receptors is particularly exposed to the activity of hazardous agents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This increased rate was found even at exposure to hydrogen sulphide below the level of 1 ppm, and endotoxins below 91 units per m 3 (EU/m 3 ). Smit et al [18] observed an increased frequency of health problems under conditions of endotoxin exposure above the level of 50 U/m 3 . The technological development and progress in occupational medicine makes it possible to monitor and limit occupational exposure to chemical and biological hazards, thus diminishing their influence on workers' health [25].…”

Section: Taste and Smell Perception Among Sewage Workers O R I G I N mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For a detailed interpretation of the findings for TPT and OPT in the context of occupational exposure it would be necessary to carry out measurements of the concentrations of air pollutants in each workplace, which could be the subject of further studies. There are literature reports on the studies concerning air concentrations of harmful biological and chemical agents in the sewage treatment plant and landfill areas [5,18,[22][23]. Studies investigating the correlation between exposure to hydrogen sulphide and endotoxins and the illnesses diagnosed among sewage and landfill workers were conducted by Ray [23], Abdou [24] and Lee [19].…”

Section: Taste and Smell Perception Among Sewage Workers O R I G I N mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Taste and smell perception among sewage treatment and landfill workers

Dżaman

Wojdas²,

Rapiejko³

et al. 2009

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: The study investigated the functioning of the taste and smell senses in workers employed at a sewage treatment plant and waste landfill. Materials and Methods: The study population was divided into three groups: sewage workers (group 1), landfill workers (group 2), and laboratory workers (group 3). Smell sensation was assessed using the Börstein gustometry method and taste sensation the Elsberg-Levy olfactometry method. The examinations were performed before and after working hours. Results: Taste disorders were noted in nearly 20% of subjects in each study group examined before work, and in 50% (group 1), 40% (group 2), 28.4% (group 3) of workers examined after work. As regards the sweet taste, a statistically higher value of the mean taste perception threshold (TPT) could be noted in each group examined before work compared to the control group. This referred also to salty taste in groups 1 and 2 and to bitter taste in groups 1 and 3. In the examinations carried out after work, all average TPTs increased and were statistically significant in relation to the sour and bitter tastes in group 1 and to sour taste in group 2. Smell examinations before and after work showed a statistically higher value of the mean olfactory perception threshold (OPT) for each odour than in the control group. The increase in the mean OPT after work was not statistically significant and did not differ between the groups. Before work, the percentage of workers with smell disorders amounted to 31.5% in the group of sewage workers, 6.3% of laboratory workers and 21.7% of landfill workers. After the working hours, these values increased to 40%, 8% and 38.4%, respectively. Conclusions: The study results indicate a higher risk of smell and taste dysfunctions among workers at a sewage treatment plant and waste landfill. The perception of the sour taste appeared to be most sensitive after short-term exposure but this dysfunction is probably reversible in nature. Other tastes were more sensitive to chronic toxic exposure than the sour taste.

show abstract