Organic dust toxic syndrome among farmers.

Abstract

Clinical symptoms and exposure conditions were investigated in 80 farmers with organic dust toxic syndrome, defined as the occurrence of febrile reactions after exposure to organic dust in subjects with no evidence ofallergic alveolitis. The material was compiled from a field study of febrile reactions in the farming community and the diagnosis was based on interviews performed by physicians. Of the 75 men (mean age 44) and five women (mean age 39), only 13% of the men and none of the women were current smokers. One attack had been experienced by 44% and the remaining subjects had had two or more attacks, often several years apart. The duration ofsymptoms was 24 hours or less in 46% of the farmers and in 95% of the cases the symptoms lasted less than one week. The attacks were most common in the autumn and were usually provoked by handling grain (80% of the farmers with organic dust toxic syndrome). Other causes were hay, straw, wood chips, and silocapping material. The material was usually described as extremely mouldy and the episodes were usually provoked by unusual work tasks such as cleaning grain bins or removing mouldy feed. Twenty three farmers had consulted physicians: five of nine examined during symptoms had slightly abnormal chest radiographs and two of four examined had decreased arterial oxygen tension. Spirometry performed during a symptom free interval was normal.

The variability of bacterial aerosol in poultry houses depending on selected factors

“…Other airborne bacteria in breeding facilities may be defined as environmental bacteria; they have not been mentioned in the quoted regulation of the Minister of Health, and it is hardly probable that they could induce diseases. However, we should remember that Gram-negative bacteria even from environmental group may be a source of endotoxins inducing immunotoxic reactions in people [8,[14][15][16]18]. The number of samples collected in our study was limited; therefore, it would not be reasonable to generalize our conclusions about differences in bioaerosol concentrations in poultry houses.…”

“…The bacterial aerosol consists of staphylococci, streptococci, numerous Gram-positive and Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, including Bacillus genus [4,5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Both live cells and their components (endotoxins in case of Gramnegative bacteria) may induce in poultry breeding employees a number of symptoms and diseases, mainly within the respiratory tract, as well as the toxic syndrome induced by endotoxins found in the organic dust [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The degree of hazardousness of airborne bioaerosol particles in breeding facilities depends not only on the pathogenicity of microorganisms or toxicity of their products but also on the particle size which determines their ability to penetrate the human respiratory tract.…”

Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome: A Review

“…Nonoccupational cases include 55 of 67 (82%) fraternity members exposed to a high level of straw dust at a party who developed ODTS (16). Most cases occur in autumn, although ODTS has been reported year-round (17,18).…”

Occupational Exposure to Moulds in Buildings

“…In certain occupations, particularly those in the agricultural sector, high levels of moulds and fungi may constitute a particular occupational hazard [13][14][15][16]. Other factors include the increase in the incidence of allergic reactions in susceptible individuals [17,18] and the need for energy conservation measures that leads to sealed buildings.…”