Exposure to poultry dust and health effects in poultry workers: impact of mould and mite allergens

Rimac, Davor; Macan, Jelena; Varnai, Veda Marija; Vučemilo, Marija; Matković, Kristina; Prester, Ljerka; Orct, Tatjana; Trošić, Ivančica; Pavičić, Ivan

doi:10.1007/s00420-009-0487-5

Cited by 81 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This concentration range is comparable with those reported in other studies that have investigated ambient endotoxin concentrations in various countries (i.e., USA, Germany, Sweden, and Hong Kong) (Mueller-Anneling et al, 2004;Morgenstern et al, 2005;Tager et al, 2010;Nilsson et al, 2011;Cheng et al, 2012). However, the concentration range observed in the present study was lower than those reported in previous studies conducted in occupational settings, wherein the measurements were generally performed at the sources of endotoxins (Su et al, 2002;Madsen and Nielsen, 2010;Rimac et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Spatiotemporal Distributions and Land-Use Regression Models of Ambient Bacteria and Endotoxins in the Greater Taipei Area

Kallawicha

Lung

Chuang

et al. 2015

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Ambient bacteria and endotoxins are components of bioaerosols, which are abundant in ambient air. Exposure to ambient bacteria and endotoxins has been associated with respiratory symptoms. We monitored the spatiotemporal distributions of ambient bioaerosols in the Greater Taipei area by using multisite sampling and developed regression models for ambient bacterial and endotoxin concentrations. Forty-four representative sampling sites were selected from the Greater Taipei area. Samples were collected in 4 seasons throughout a 1-y study period. Ambient bacteria were quantified using acridine orange staining, and endotoxins were analyzed using Limulus amebocyte lysate assays. Land-use types and major determinants of the bioaerosols were used to develop regression models. Ambient bacteria ranged from < limit of detection (LOD) to 1.68 × 10 5 cells/m 3 , whereas endotoxins ranged from < LOD to 20.62 EU/m 3 . Significant seasonal variations were observed for both bioaerosols, with the highest concentrations observed in spring. Regression analyses revealed temperature, relative humidity, and particulate matter as the major predictors of ambient bacteria and endotoxins. No land-use type was correlated with any of the bioaerosols. The number of schools and gas stations was positively associated with both bioaerosols. The leave-one-out cross-validation R 2 of the final models for ambient bacteria and endotoxins were 0.11 and 0.31, respectively. The results of this study revealed high spatiotemporal variations in the distributions of ambient bacteria and endotoxins in the Greater Taipei area. Additional potential predictors should be included in future studies to develop better predictive models for ambient bacteria and endotoxins.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Spatiotemporal Distributions and Land-Use Regression Models of Ambient Bacteria and Endotoxins in the Greater Taipei Area

Kallawicha

Lung

Chuang

et al. 2015

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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“…Various studies have demonstrated that exposure to high microbial contaminant concentrations results in respiratory disorders and decreased lung functions on various farms, including swine, grain, and poultry farms (Post et al, 1998;Kirychuk et al, 2003;Chattopadhyay et al, 2007;Chenard et al, 2007;Rimac et al, 2010;Szczyrek et al, 2011). However, scientific information on health risks to vegetable farm workers and the effect of their exposure to specific microbial agents, particularly fungi that are present on agricultural farms is scant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the adverse effects of fungal exposure on farmers' lung functions are evident. In addition, susceptible workers might have left the industry due to the healthy worker effect and resulted in an underestimation of health impacts (Bunger et al, 2007;Chenard et al, 2007;Rimac et al, 2010). Second, we used a self-reported questionnaire to evaluate the working conditions and perceived health among the workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Bioaerosol Exposure and its Effects on the Health of Mushroom and Vegetable Farm Workers in Taiwan

Tarigan

Chen

Lin

et al. 2017

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Workers from specific occupational settings may be exposed to high fungal bioaerosol concentrations, causing detrimental health effects. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the characteristics and health effects of fungal bioaerosols present on agricultural farms. By using IOM inhalable dust samplers, personal and area samples of airborne fungi were collected from five agricultural farms-two mushroom and three vegetable farms. A standardized questionnaire and spirometry were used to evaluate workers' health. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine the distributions of fungal and environmental factors among the different farms, and regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of personal bioaerosol exposure on workers' health. In the personal samples, the geometric mean concentrations ranged from 4.3 × 10 3 to 3.0 × 10 4 CFU m -3 for total culturable fungi and from 4.2 × 10 3 to 1.2 × 10 5 spores m -3 for total fungal spores. The total fungal spore concentrations differed significantly among the personal samples (p = 0.026), but not among the area samples, from the five farms. The culturable fungal concentrations among the five farms did not differ significantly in the personal or area samples. Decreased lung functions of the workers were significantly associated with the concentrations of total fungi and several fungal taxa such as Ascospores, Fusarium, and Periconia. This study demonstrated that exposure to high fungal bioaerosol concentrations reduced the lung functions of the mushroom and vegetable farm workers. Superior ventilation and appropriate personal protection equipment are required to reduce occupational biohazards.

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“…[1][2][3][4] In largescale poultry production, workers inside poultry barns and processing plants encounter high levels of ammonia, bacteria, and dust on the job. [5][6][7][8] Because of the high concentrations of the exposures and their irritant properties, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, 9 coughing, 9,10 wheezing, 10 nasal symptoms, 11,12 and changes in lung function 5,[8][9][10] have been investigated extensively among poultry barn workers. …”

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confidence: 99%

Poultry Processing Work And Respiratory Health Of Latino Men And Women In North Carolina

Chatterjee¹,

Arcury²,

Mora³

et al. 2012

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Objective-To evaluate associations between poultry processing work and respiratory health among working Latino men and women in North Carolina. Methods-BetweenMay 2009 and November 2010, 402 poultry processing workers and 339 workers in a comparison population completed interviewer-administered questionnaires. Of these participants, 279 poultry processing workers and 222 workers in the comparison population also completed spirometry testing to provide measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity.Results-Nine percent of poultry processing workers and 10% of workers in the comparison population reported current asthma. Relative to the comparison population, adjusted mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were lower in the poultry processing population, particularly among men who reported sanitation job activities.Conclusions-Despite the low prevalence of respiratory symptoms reported, poultry processing work may affect lung function.Exposure to organic and inorganic dusts and other allergens is a well-recognized cause of airway disease among men and women employed in the agricultural industry. [1][2][3][4] In largescale poultry production, workers inside poultry barns and processing plants encounter high levels of ammonia, bacteria, and dust on the job. [5][6][7][8] Because of the high concentrations of the exposures and their irritant properties, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, 9 coughing, 9,10 wheezing, 10 nasal symptoms, 11,12 and changes in lung function 5,[8][9][10] have been investigated extensively among poultry barn workers. HHS Public Access Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author ManuscriptIn contrast, relatively few data are available to describe inhalation exposures and respiratory health symptoms among individuals employed in poultry processing plants (ie, slaughterhouses, abattoirs), where live birds are received and then moved through the processing facility on a production line. Along the line, workers hang, kill, defeather, clean, eviscerate, and cut the poultry into parts that are then packaged, boxed, and shipped. 13,14 In addition to working on the line, employees clean machinery and floors; inspect and repair equipment; assemble boxes; and load, stack, and move pallets of packaged poultry. Throughout the facilities, workers may encounter cold temperatures and high humidity, and potential inhalation exposures include aerosolized chlorine compounds, cleaning agents, and machining and other fluids; airborne allergens, bacteria, dusts, endotoxin, and fungi; and carbon dioxide. The extent to which appropriate respiratory protection or mechanical ventilation systems are used in the poultry processing industry is unknown, though outbreaks of psittacosis and pneumonia [15][16][17] and reports of eye and respiratory tract irritation 5,13,18 suggest that workers' airways may not be sufficiently protected.Previous epidemiologic research conducted in North Carolina has reported depressive symptoms, 19 dermatologic...

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Exposure to poultry dust and health effects in poultry workers: impact of mould and mite allergens

Abstract: Hazardous levels of Der p 1, endotoxin and moulds were determined in poultry houses. High prevalence of work-related symptoms and IgG antibodies to moulds was found in PW. Healthy worker effect is proposed as an explanation of low atopy markers prevalence among PW.

Cited by 81 publications

References 31 publications

Spatiotemporal Distributions and Land-Use Regression Models of Ambient Bacteria and Endotoxins in the Greater Taipei Area

Spatiotemporal Distributions and Land-Use Regression Models of Ambient Bacteria and Endotoxins in the Greater Taipei Area

Fungal Bioaerosol Exposure and its Effects on the Health of Mushroom and Vegetable Farm Workers in Taiwan

Poultry Processing Work And Respiratory Health Of Latino Men And Women In North Carolina

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