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Dust‐ and endotoxin‐related acute lung function changes and work‐related symptoms in workers in the animal feed industry
Author(s) -
Smid Tjabe,
Heederik Dick,
Houba Remko,
Quanjer Philip H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700250611
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory system , lung function , vital capacity , irritation , spirometry , circadian rhythm , lung volumes , lung , pulmonary function testing , respiratory disease , zoology , physiology , immunology , asthma , diffusing capacity , biology
Reported respiratory and related symptoms during work were compared between 265 exposed animal feed workers and a control group consisting of 175 external controls and nonexposed workers in the animal feed industry. Symptoms indicating respiratory and nasal irritation were significantly increased in the animal feed workers. Prevalences ranged from 9% (cough) to 21% (sneezing). Reported cough after work was also significantly increased. In 119 workers, a total of 457 across‐shift spirometric lung function changes were measured. Almost all lung function variables showed a decrease during the work shift, as could be expected since the circadian rhythm is in a downward phase during the measurement period (2 p.m.‐10 p.m.). When the workers were grouped into dust and endotoxin exposure categories according to their job titles, and exposure‐response trend was seen for maximum mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF) and maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% of vital capacity (MEF 50 ). The effect of endotoxin was stronger than that of dust, both in magnitude and significance. For the same lung function variables and for forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) and MEF 25 , a significant across‐week change was also detected. The results of this study are in concordance with other studies that indicate acute effects on lung function and elevated prevalences of respiratory symptoms during work caused by exposure to grain dust.