Measurements of airborne aflatoxins during the handling of contaminated corn

Abstract

Sample of airborne dust generated the handling of aflatoxin-contaminated corn were collected and analyzed to assess potential exposures of farmers and other agricultural workers to these mycotoxins. Using high volume total dust samplers and a high volume Andersen sampler, downwind dust samples were collected on glass filter when contaminated corn was transferred by augers from a storage bin into a wagon and back into the storage bin. The aflatoxin B1 content of the 15 dust samples ranged from 12.5 to 204.3 ppb, with an average of 138 ppb; the aflatoxin B2 content ranged from 1.1 to 41.6 ppb, with an average of 24.6 ppb. The B1 and B2 levels of contamination in the bulk corn were 223.9 and 17.5 ppb, respectively. The gravimetric dust concentration in the air ranged from 7 mg/m3 to 417 mg/m3. The samples taken with an Andersen sampler indicate the dust is relatively coarse with only approximately 17% less than 7 micrometer. An analysis of the dust from each stage showed higher levels of aflatoxins in the larger first-stage particles than in the finer particles on the succeeding stages. The results of this study indicate that the dust generated when handling contaminated commodities also may be contaminated and represent a potential inhalation hazard. This fact, coupled with the extreme toxicity and carcinogenicity previously demonstrated in animal studies, suggests that appropriate measures be taken to prevent worker exposure during handling of contaminated materials.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and the risk of occupational exposure

“…A variety of chemicals comprising VCM, organic solvents, chlorinated pesticides and arsenic exert adverse effects on the liver [97] (Tables 2 and 3). [4,38,41,44] , waste operators [38,44] Group 1 [34] HCV -Health care workers [38,39,61] Group 1 [34] Aflatoxin B1 1162-65-8 Paper mill and sugar factory; poultry production; rice mill; waste management; swine industry; agri-food industry; wheat handling; textile manufacturing [77,78,[87][88][89][90][91]93,96] Group 1 [76] IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer; CAS No. : Chemical abstract service number; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HCV: Hepatitis C virus.…”

“…This could be caused by the aflatoxin ability to determine the mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, which in normal conditions induces the apoptosis processes [74][75][76][77] . The risk of HCC increases when the exposure occurs in the presence of HBV infection, as occurs in the Chinese population [78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96] .…”

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, andStachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective

“…Aflatoxin can be aerosolized and has been detected in air near farm sources (49,395,399). Inhaled aflatoxin causes tracheobronchial cell destruction in hamsters and guinea pigs (157); rats receiving intratracheal doses develop cancer of the liver, intestines, and kidneys (301).…”

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of health concerns at a pet food manufacturing facility - Missouri.

“…Some types of grain processing may generate dusts potentially containing aflatoxins. For example, studies have found that substantial amounts of dust are generated during the processing and handling of corn, and a number have evaluated aflatoxin in dust from grain elevators, terminals, and corn dumping stations [Burg et al 1981;Sorenson et al 1981]. Studies have shown that the amount of aflatoxin in grain does not correlate with the amount in air [Selim et al 1998].…”