Respiratory disorders and atopy in Danish refuse workers.

Sigsgaard, Torben; Malmros, Per; Nersting, Lise; Petersen, Charisse

doi:10.1164/ajrccm.149.6.8004291

Cited by 100 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Likewise, no clinically significant decrease in FVC, FEV 1 , or FEV 1 /FVC was found. Thus, there is some heterogeneity between the conclusions of studies on this topic (Thorn et al 2002;Yang et al 2001;Bunger et al 2000;Friis et al 1999;Rylander 1999;Thorn et al 1998;Ivens et al 1997;Zuskin et al 1996;Poulsen et al 1995;Sigsgaard et al 1994;Zuskin et al 1993;Malmros et al 1992;Nethercott and Holness 1988;Rylander et al 1977;Rufener-Press et al 1976). Both true differences in exposure and methodological factors explain these apparently contradictory findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clara cell protein and surfactant protein�B in garbage collectors and in wastewater workers exposed to bioaerosols

Steiner¹,

Jeggli²,

Tschopp

et al. 2005

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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Objectives: Inhalation of bioaerosols has been hypothesised to cause ''toxic pneumonitis'' that should increase lung epithelial permeability at the bronchioloalveolar level. Serum Clara cell protein (CC16) and serum surfactant protein B (SPB) have been proposed as sensitive markers of lung epithelial injury. This study was aimed at looking for increased lung epithelial permeability by determining CC16 and SPB in workers exposed to bioaerosols from wastewater or garbage. Methods: Subjects (778 wastewater, garbage and control workers; participation 61%) underwent a medical examination, lung function tests [American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria], and determination of CC16 and SPB. Symptoms of endotoxin exposure and several potential confounders (age, gender, smoking, kidney function, obesity) were looked for. Results were examined with multiple linear or logistic regression. Results: Exposure to bioaerosols increased CC16 concentration in the wastewater workers. No effect of exposure on SPB was found. No clue to work-related respiratory diseases was found. Conclusions: The increase in CC16 in serum supports the hypothesis that bioaerosols cause subclinical ''toxic pneumonitis'', even at low exposure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clara cell protein and surfactant protein�B in garbage collectors and in wastewater workers exposed to bioaerosols

Steiner¹,

Jeggli²,

Tschopp

et al. 2005

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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“…Thirteen occupational studies measured personal exposure of compost workers to different bioaerosol components (Bünger et al, 2007;Crook et al, 2008;Drew et al, 2007;Douwes et al, 1997;Epstein et al, 2001;Krajewski et al, 2002;Schlosser et al, 2009;Sigsgaard et al, 1994;Stagg et al, 2010;Sykes et al, 2011;Taha et al, 2007;Wheeler et al, 2001), detecting significantly high concentrations of actinomycetes, Aspergillus fumigatus, fungi, and endotoxin (Stagg et al, 2010), and elevated personal exposure levels of endotoxin in workers, particularly during composting agitation activities (Sykes et al, 2011). Four occupational studies measured mesophilic mould/fungi (Reinthaler et al, 2004;Schlosser et al, 2009;Tolvanen et al, 2005;van Kampen et al, 2014).…”

Section: Exposure Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonsignificant health results are presented in Appendix 9. * The study information from Sigsgaard, Hansen, and Malmros (1997) is from a conference paper, as the results were not reported in Sigsgaard et al (1994). (1.0-2.1), unusual tiredness =1.5 (1.1-2.0), fever/shivering = 1.7 (1.1-2.5), joint pain = 1.5 (1.1-2.1), muscular pain =1.5 (1.1-2.0)…”

Section: Bias Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposures and Health Outcomes in Relation to Bioaerosol Emissions From Composting Facilities: A Systematic Review of Occupational and Community Studies

Pearson

Littlewood

Douglas

et al. 2015

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

142

109

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The number of composting sites in Europe is rapidly increasing, due to efforts to reduce the fraction of waste destined for landfill, but evidence on possible health impacts is limited. This article systematically reviews studies related to bioaerosol exposures within and near composting facilities and associated health effects in both community and occupational health settings. Six electronic databases and bibliographies from January 1960 to July 2014 were searched for studies reporting on health outcomes and/or bioaerosol emissions related to composting sites. Risk of bias was assessed using a customized score. Five hundred and thirty-six papers were identified and reviewed, and 66 articles met the inclusion criteria (48 exposure studies, 9 health studies, 9 health and exposure studies). Exposure information was limited, with most measurements taken in occupational settings and for limited time periods. Bioaerosol concentrations were highest on-site during agitation activities (turning, shredding, and screening). Six studies detected concentrations of either Aspergillus fumigatus or total bacteria above the English Environment Agency's recommended threshold levels beyond 250 m from the site. Occupational studies of compost workers suggested elevated risks of respiratory illnesses with higher bioaerosol exposures. Elevated airway irritation was reported in residents near composting sites, but this may have been affected by reporting bias. The evidence base on health effects of bioaerosol emissions from composting facilities is still limited, although there is sufficient evidence to support a precautionary approach for regulatory purposes. While data to date are suggestive of possible respiratory effects, further study is needed to confirm this and to explore other health outcomes.Waste management policy is rapidly evolving, largely because European countries are running out of space for landfill sites. Further, poor waste management contributes to climate change and threatens environmental sustainability. It is estimated that each tonne of food waste diverted from landfill to composting

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“…The health risks associated with this type of industry are, however, not yet clear. The few studies that assessed health risks [1][2][3][4][5][6] showed that workers in waste handling, particularly workers collecting and processing domestic organic waste for composting, are at risk of developing various health effects-such as respiratory symptoms, systemic influenza-like symptoms, and gastrointestinal problems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms in domestic waste collectors

Wouters

Hilhorst²,

Kleppe³

et al. 2002

Occup Environ Med

113

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Objectives: To compare respiratory symptoms and upper airway inflammation in domestic waste collectors and controls, and to find the association between measures of upper airway inflammation on the one hand and exposure concentrations of organic dust or respiratory symptoms on the other hand. Methods: In a cross sectional study among 47 waste collectors and 15 controls, questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms were collected. Nasal lavage (NAL), to assess upper airway inflammation, was performed before and after a work shift at the beginning and at the end of the working week. In NAL fluid, cells were counted and differentiated and concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL6), IL8, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and IL1β were measured. In collectors, inhalable dust samples were collected in which bacterial endotoxin and mould β(1→3)-glucan were assessed. Results: Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in waste collectors than in controls. Geometric mean exposure concentrations were 0.58 mg/m 3 for dust, 39 EU/m 3 for endotoxin, and 1.3 µg/m 3 for β(1→3)-glucan. At the end of the week collectors had higher concentrations of total cells and IL8 in NAL before and after a shift than controls (cells, before 1.9-fold p<0.10, after 3.3-fold p<0.01; IL8, before and after 1.8-fold p<0.05), and after/before work shift ratios of total cells were also higher (2.3-fold p=0.06) in collectors than in controls. Cells in NAL fluid consisted predominantly of neutrophils and epithelial cells, whereas eosinophils and mononuclear cells were rarely found. Exposure to dust and endotoxin was associated with concentrations of IL8 after the shift (p<0.05). Increased concentrations of IL8 (p<0.05) and total cells (p<0.10) after the shift were associated with respiratory symptoms. Concentrations of IL6, TNFα, and IL1β were not associated with waste collecting, symptoms, or exposure. Conclusions: Waste collectors show signs of increased upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms compared with controls. Exposure to organic dust probably underlies the inflammation mediated by neutrophils that result in respiratory symptoms.

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Respiratory disorders and atopy in Danish refuse workers.

Cited by 100 publications

References 13 publications

Clara cell protein and surfactant protein�B in garbage collectors and in wastewater workers exposed to bioaerosols

Clara cell protein and surfactant protein�B in garbage collectors and in wastewater workers exposed to bioaerosols

Exposures and Health Outcomes in Relation to Bioaerosol Emissions From Composting Facilities: A Systematic Review of Occupational and Community Studies

Upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms in domestic waste collectors

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