Open AccessEnvironmental Mycological Study and Respiratory Disease Investigation in Fur‐processing Workers
Author(s) -
Chen Jie,
Liu Zhenlin,
Shi Jin,
Wang Shusen,
Yang Sufen,
Lou Jiezhi,
Xu Zhaofa
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.45.238
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory system , disease control , occupational exposure , hygiene , chronic cough , environmental health , pathology , asthma
Environmental Mycological Study and Respiratory Disease Investigation in Fur‐processing Workers: Jie Chen, et al. Division of Pneumoconiosis, School of Public Health, China Medical University, China —This paper presents the results of an investigation of respiratory symptoms, chest X‐ray examinations, and analysis of antibodies to fungi of 138 fur‐processing workers and 40 control workers. Industrial hygiene survey and environmental mycological studies were also conducted. The dust concentrations in fur processing workshops (1.8–6.7 mg/ m 3 ) were below the national health limit (10 mg/m 3 ). Most dusts in all fur processing workshops contained less than 2.0% silica. Numbers of isolated fungi in fur processing workshops [629–3,681 cfu/m 3 (colony forming unit/m 3 )] were significantly higher than those in control environments (63–503 cfu/m 3 ). The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in fur processing workers were higher than those in control workers, especially among female exposed workers. The prevalences of the symptoms in female exposed workers were 37.9% with chronic cough, 28.4% with chronic phlegm, 10.5% with dyspnea, 22.1% with chest tightness, and 4.2% with fever. Seven cases showed abnormalities in chest X‐ray examinations. The OD 450 nm values for antibodies to fungi in fur processing workers were significantly higher than those in control workers (P<0.05). The prevalences of positive anti‐fungi antibodies in fur‐processing workers were also significantly higher than those in control workers (p<0.01). The results suggested that fungi might be one of the main allergens in respiratory diseases in fur processing workers.