Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in flour processing workers in the baking industry

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 63 flour processing male bakery workers in Umtata, Transkei, Southern Africa. The controls were from a bottling plant in the same city. Both groups were black Africans from the Xhosa-speaking population. The studied population was nonsmoking and no significant difference was noted in age, race, sex, or height between the groups. The exposed workers had significantly lower forced expiratory indices than the control group. Mean percent predicted values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced expiratory ratio (FEV₁/FVC x 100), forced mid-expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FMF), forced expiratory flow between the first 200 ml and 1.200 ml of FVC (FEF 200-1,200), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) were, respectively, 11.2%, 20.0%, 31.0%, 27.4%, and 36.1% lower in the exposed group compared with the controls. The prevalence of forced expiratory ratio less than 70% in the exposed group was 37% while in the controls it was 8%. The prevalence of PEF rate less than 5 l/s in the exposed group was 32% while in the controls it was 11%. The exposed workers reported a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms compared to the controls. The prevalence of nasal symptoms, phlegm, and cough in the exposed workers was 53.9%, 30.1%, and 25.4%, respectively. The present study demonstrated that exposure to flour dust in flour processing workers in the baking industry is associated with significantly lower pulmonary functions and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, and that these workers show signs of airway obstruction, compared to workers not exposed to flour. Flour processing workers have a significant occupationally related respiratory impairment.     

Respiratory symptoms in kitchen workers

INTRODUCTION: A possible association between cooking fumes and respiratory diseases other than cancer has not been studied earlier. METHODS: All employees at 67 selected kitchens were asked to answer a personal questionnaire regarding the presence of dyspnea, serious dyspnea, cough, and respiratory symptoms in connection with work. The study group consisted of 139 women and 100 men. RESULTS: The prevalence of dyspnea (RR = 4.1 (2.7-6.3)), serious dyspnea (RR = 2.9 (1.5-5.7)), and symptoms in connection with work (RR = 4.3 (2.7-6.7)) were statistically significantly higher for the female kitchen workers compared to the controls. For the men only dyspnea (RR = 1.8 (1.4-2.3)) and symptoms in connection with work (RR = 2.1 (1.6-2.7)) showed an increased prevalence. An analysis of possible predictors for respiratory symptoms in connection with work gave an odds ratio of 3.2 (P = 0.000) for "working in a restaurant kitchen." CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate a relationship between working in kitchens and respiratory symptoms.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in jute processing workers: a primary investigation

This paper presents the results of an investigation of respiratory symptoms and lung function of 404 workers who had been exposed to jute dust in a jute mill. Measurement of total dust concentration and analysis of dust composition were also conducted. Most workers in the jute mill were exposed to jute dusts containing less than 5% silica, whereas a few workers were exposed to dusts containing approximately 10-15% silica. Male smokers and nonsmokers in the dust-exposed group had a higher prevalence of cough and chest tightness compared with those in the control group. Among dust-exposed workers, female nonsmokers had a significantly higher prevalence of cough, chronic bronchitis, chest tightness, and dyspnea than those in the control group. Lung function tests showed that dust-exposed workers had a greater incidence of abnormal lung function than did control workers, as measured by percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0), and FEV1.0/FVC. Dust exposure was the main cause of respiratory symptoms and abnormal values of FEV1.0, but both cigarette smoking and dust exposure contributed to the abnormal values reported for FEV1.0.     

Respiratory symptoms among crab processing workers in Alaska: epidemiological and environmental assessment

BACKGROUND: Crab processing workers may develop respiratory symptoms and specific IgE responses, but the risk factors have not been fully described. METHODS: In 1998, 107 workers at a crab processing facility completed a survey both at the beginning and end of the processing season. The surveys included standardized symptom questionnaires, spirometry, and serological testing, as well as measurement of workplace airborne crab allergens and microscopic analysis of aerosolized materials. RESULTS: Over the crab processing season, asthma-like symptoms developed in 26% of study participants and bronchitic symptoms in 19%. Only 9% of those with new asthma-like symptoms were IgE-sensitized to crab at the end of the season. Among the crab processing jobs, butchering and degilling workers had the highest incidence of respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Both personal and process-related factors appear to affect the development of respiratory symptoms in crab processing workers. In this study, crab specific IgE was not detected in most of the workers with new symptoms. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Respiratory symptoms and ex vivo cytokine release are associated in workers processing herring.

Objective To determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among workers processing herring and assess ex vivo cytokine release in response to agents at their workplace.Methods We applied a questionnaire, and performed skin prick testing and pulmonary investigations in 36 workers at two herring factories, using 31 municipal workers as controls. In a whole blood assay (WBA), venous blood from the subjects was incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), (1,3)-glucan or sterile-filtered, fish constituents such as skin and rinsing water. We determined the IL-1 and IL-8 release in the plasma by chemiluminescence ELISA.Results Among smoking fish-factory workers the forced vital capacity (FVC) was higher (per cent predicted 92.0 vs 85.0; P=0.028) than among municipal workers. Fish rinsing water induced WBA IL-8 release to higher levels than LPS and glucan. Among non-smokers the induced IL-1 release for rinsing water (P=0.007) and the IL-8 release for skin (P=0.001) and meat (P=0.003) were higher in fish-factory workers than in municipal workers. The IL-1 release for rinsing water (P=0.028) and skin (P=0.041) was higher among non-smokers than among smokers, and so was the IL-8 release for rinsing water (P=0.008).Conclusions Assessing the cytokine release by use of the WBA we identified substances in the occupational environment with a pro-inflammatory potential comparable to that of LPS. The cytokine release for fish constituents was highest among non-smoking fish-factory workers. The results suggest a priming effect of the work exposure.     

Respiratory diseases, symptoms and ventilatory function in workers involved in processing food for livestock

The prevalence of chronic and acute respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 71 workers employed in animal food processing. A control group of 55 unexposed workers was also included in the study. A significantly higher prevalence for most of the chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the exposed than among control workers. Exposed smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis and chest tightness than control smokers. The values for FVC, FEV1 and FEF50 measured in the exposed workers were significantly lower in comparison to predicted normal lung function values. In smokers all the measured parameters of ventilatory capacity were significantly lesser than predicted. For non-smokers only FVC and FEV1 were below normal. Our data indicate that occupational exposure to animal food may cause the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of ventilatory capacity.     

Respiratory function in animal food processing workers

A group of 71 men employed in animal food processing was studied to assess the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and the presence of lung function abnormalities. In addition, a control group of 55 unexposed men was studied for the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. A significantly higher prevalence for most of the chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the exposed workers compared to the control workers. Those workers who smoked had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis, and chest tightness than the smokers in the control group. For nonsmokers, the differences between exposed and control workers were significant for chronic phlegm and chest tightness. The frequency of acute symptoms associated with the work shift was high among the animal food workers. There were significantly lower measured values for FVC, FEV1, and FEF50 in the exposed group (smokers and nonsmokers) compared to predicted lung function values. In smokers, all measured parameters of ventilatory capacity were significantly less than predicted; for nonsmokers, the FVC and FEV1 were less than normal. Our data indicate that exposure to dust in the animal food industry may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and the impairment of lung function. Smoking, in this setting, appears to aggravate these changes.     

Respiratory and allergic symptoms in wool textile workers

An epidemiological study of 2153 workers in 15 West Yorkshire wool textile mills was conducted to determine relations between respiratory symptoms and exposure to inspirable wool mill dust. A questionnaire designed to elicit all the common respiratory symptoms was developed and tested, and administered to all workers willing to participate (85%). It was translated and administered in Urdu for the 385 workers from Pakistan whose English was not fluent. Symptoms investigated included cough and phlegm, wheezing and chest tightness, breathlessness and its variability, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, chills, nosebleeds, and chest illnesses. Additional questions were asked, where appropriate, about the times of day, days of the week, seasons, and places that the symptoms were worse or better than normal. An environmental survey was carried out at each mill, which included 629 measurements of inspirable dust, enabling estimates to be made of the airborne concentrations of inspirable dust usually experienced by each member of the workforce under current conditions. Overall symptom prevalences were: persistent cough and phlegm, 9%; wheeze, 31%; breathlessness on walking with others on level ground, 10%; persistent rhinitis, 18%; persistent conjunctivitis, 10%; persistent chills, 2%; ten or more nosebleeds a year, 2%; and three or more chest illnesses in past three years, 5%. After allowing for the effects of age, sex, smoking habit, and ethnic group, cough and phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and nosebleeds were found to be more frequent in those exposed to higher than to lower concentrations of dust. In some experiencing high concentrations (blenders and carpet yarn backwinders) cough and phlegm, wheeze, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis were related to the years worked in such jobs. Relative risks of each symptom in relation to inspirable dust concentrations were calculated by means of a logistic regression analysis. At concentrations of 10 mg/m3, the current United Kingdom standard for nuisance dusts, the risk of cough and phlegm relative to that of an unexposed worker was 1.37, that of wheeze 1.40, breathlessness 1.48, rhinitis 1.24, and conjunctivitis 1.70. Since some of these symptoms may be associated with functional impairment of the lungs, further studies of selected workers are being carried out to estimate the functional effects of exposure to dust in wool textile mills.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in hemp workers

Respiratory symptoms and abnormalities of lung function were studied in 84 female and 27 male hemp workers employed in two textile mills (A and B) processing soft hemp (C sativa). In mill A 46 women and 27 men were investigated and 38 female workers were studied in mill B. Forty nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in female hemp workers when compared to control workers. Among the men these differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female hemp workers in both mills (group A, 47.8%; group B, 57.9%) as well as in the male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant across shift reductions in lung function were found for all ventilatory capacity measurements in female and male hemp workers varying from 7.1% for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to 15.1% for flow rates at 50% vital capacity (FEF50). Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers, being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that occupational exposure to hemp dust is a significant risk factor for the development of acute and chronic lung disease in workers employed in this textile industry.     

Respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in asphalt workers

Aims: To assess the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and signs of airflow limitations in a group of asphalt workers.     

Respiratory and allergic symptoms in wool textile workers.

An epidemiological study of 2153 workers in 15 West Yorkshire wool textile mills was conducted to determine relations between respiratory symptoms and exposure to inspirable wool mill dust. A questionnaire designed to elicit all the common respiratory symptoms was developed and tested, and administered to all workers willing to participate (85%). It was translated and administered in Urdu for the 385 workers from Pakistan whose English was not fluent. Symptoms investigated included cough and phlegm, wheezing and chest tightness, breathlessness and its variability, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, chills, nosebleeds, and chest illnesses. Additional questions were asked, where appropriate, about the times of day, days of the week, seasons, and places that the symptoms were worse or better than normal. An environmental survey was carried out at each mill, which included 629 measurements of inspirable dust, enabling estimates to be made of the airborne concentrations of inspirable dust usually experienced by each member of the workforce under current conditions. Overall symptom prevalences were: persistent cough and phlegm, 9%; wheeze, 31%; breathlessness on walking with others on level ground, 10%; persistent rhinitis, 18%; persistent conjunctivitis, 10%; persistent chills, 2%; ten or more nosebleeds a year, 2%; and three or more chest illnesses in past three years, 5%. After allowing for the effects of age, sex, smoking habit, and ethnic group, cough and phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and nosebleeds were found to be more frequent in those exposed to higher than to lower concentrations of dust. In some experiencing high concentrations (blenders and carpet yarn backwinders) cough and phlegm, wheeze, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis were related to the years worked in such jobs. Relative risks of each symptom in relation to inspirable dust concentrations were calculated by means of a logistic regression analysis. At concentrations of 10 mg/m3, the current United Kingdom standard for nuisance dusts, the risk of cough and phlegm relative to that of an unexposed worker was 1.37, that of wheeze 1.40, breathlessness 1.48, rhinitis 1.24, and conjunctivitis 1.70. Since some of these symptoms may be associated with functional impairment of the lungs, further studies of selected workers are being carried out to estimate the functional effects of exposure to dust in wool textile mills.     

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in confectionery workers.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 288 workers (259 women and 29 men) employed in a confectionery plant. A group of workers (96 women and 31 men) not exposed to confectionery manufacture were also studied as controls. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed than in control workers, being greatest for confectionery workers exposed to the dust of flour, talc, and starch and the vapours of alcohol. Chronic bronchitis was reported by 7% of the women and 21% of the men, and chest tightness was reported by 27% of women and 66% of men. There was a high prevalence of acute irritative symptoms during the workshift in all groups of confectionery workers, especially for cough, dyspnoea, burning and dryness of the throat, and eye irritation. For all groups of confectionery workers there were statistically significant across shift reductions in ventilatory capacity, being most pronounced for maximum flow rate at 50% of the control vital capacity (FEF50; range 4.6-13.0%) and at 25% of the control vital capacity (FEF25; range 4.7-22.3%). Preshift values of FEF50 and FEF25 were significantly lower than predicted values. The data suggest that some workers employed in confectionery plants may develop acute and chronic respiratory symptoms associated with changes in lung function.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in hemp workers.

Respiratory symptoms and abnormalities of lung function were studied in 84 female and 27 male hemp workers employed in two textile mills (A and B) processing soft hemp (C sativa). In mill A 46 women and 27 men were investigated and 38 female workers were studied in mill B. Forty nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in female hemp workers when compared to control workers. Among the men these differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female hemp workers in both mills (group A, 47.8%; group B, 57.9%) as well as in the male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant across shift reductions in lung function were found for all ventilatory capacity measurements in female and male hemp workers varying from 7.1% for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to 15.1% for flow rates at 50% vital capacity (FEF50). Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers, being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that occupational exposure to hemp dust is a significant risk factor for the development of acute and chronic lung disease in workers employed in this textile industry.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers

Our study investigated a group of 216 wool textile workers (158 women and 58 men). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire in wool textile workers and in 130 not exposed (control) workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on Monday before and after the work shift. Forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF₅₀, FEF₂₅) were measured on the MEFV curves. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls. being the highest in wool workers for nasal catarrh (M: 63.8%; F: 44.9%) and for sinusitis (M: 62.1%; F: 43.0%). A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift, was also noted in wool workers. Exposure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 1.4% for FEV, to 9.1% for FEF₅₀. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the workplace had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF₅₀ and FEF₂₅ were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. Our data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.     

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers

Respiratory function was studied in a group of 29 soy workers exposed to soy bean dust produced after extraction of soy oil. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was consistently higher in exposed than in control workers, although the differences were not statistically significant. During the Monday work shift there was a significant mean acute across-shift decrease in maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and 25% vital capacity (FEF50: -6.4%; FEF25: -12.4%). Changes in vital capacity (FVC: -3.6%) and 1-sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1: -2.7%) were smaller, but still statistically significant. There were also statistically significant acute reductions in all ventilatory capacity parameters over the work shift on the following Friday, although the changes were in general smaller than on Monday (except for FEV1). An analysis of Monday preshift values of ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers suggests that exposure to soy bean dust may lead to chronic respiratory impairment in some workers.     

Environmental exposure characterization of fish processing workers

BACKGROUND: Aerosolization of seafood and subsequent inhalation, during processing is a potential high-risk activity for allergic respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: To quantify total thoracic particulate, protein concentration and specific fish (pilchard, anchovy) antigen concentrations in fish processing plants; to determine the correlation between these exposure metrics; and to identify the major determinants of variability and the optimal grouping strategies for establishing dose-response relationships for fish antigen exposures. METHODS: Exposure assessments were conducted on randomly selected individuals within each of the identified 'exposure groups' (EGs) in two fish processing factories. Personal time-integrated sampling was conducted with a thoracic fraction sampler and analysed for particulate mass, total protein and specific fish antigens. Exposure metrics were developed on the basis of individually measured exposures and average levels of these personal samples within EGs. The main components of the exposure variability were determined using ANOVA techniques. RESULTS: A total of 198 full-shift personal aerosol samples were collected and analysed. Twenty-two percent of the samples were below the limit of detection (LOD) for pilchard and 23% for anchovy assays. Personal sampling revealed wide variations across EGs in arithmetic mean concentrations of thoracic particulate 0.61 mg m(-3) (range: LOD-11.3), total protein 0.89 microg m(-3) (LOD-11.5), pilchard antigen 150 ng m(-3) (LOD-15 973) and anchovy antigen 552 ng m(-3) (LOD-75 748) levels. The fishmeal loading and bagging sections of both plants showed consistently high thoracic particulate mass (0.811-2.714 mg m(-3)), total protein (0.185-1.855 microg m(-3)), pilchard antigen (538-3288 ng m(-3)) and anchovy antigen (1708-15 431 ng m(-3)). The a priori strategy that grouped workers according to EGs produced reasonably satisfactory summary exposure metric statistics. An alternative grouping strategy based on department revealed comparable elasticity (exposure contrast). While the correlation between the log-transformed thoracic particulate mass and fish antigen concentrations were generally modest (Pearson's r = 0.32-0.35, P < 0.001), a high correlation was found between pilchard and anchovy antigen concentrations (Pearson's r = 0.71, P < 0.001). Models using factory and department grouping strategies accounted for a significant portion of the variability (adjusted r(2) = 0.18, P = 0.043) in pilchard antigen levels. Grouping strategies using a combination of factory and department yielded the highest degree of elasticity for thoracic particulate (0.38) and pilchard antigen (0.42) levels. CONCLUSIONS: Workers involved in bony fish processing are at risk of inhaling aerosols containing pilchard and anchovy fish antigens. Antigen exposures are highest during fishmeal production and bagging. Grouping strategies based on department and factory may provide a more efficient approach than a priori classification of EGs for evaluating fish antigen exposures.     

Health disorders in workers of the fish processing industry]

The contributors propose a study of the labour conditions (microclimate, work load and intensity) in processing of dried yellowfin fish, describe results of the psycho-physiological and clinical studies, including medical examinations, epicutaneous testing, ventilation capacity of the lungs and peripheral blood laboratory studies. It was established that the technological processes of drying yellowfin fish exhibited exposure to the biological factors causing irritations and sensibilization of the skin fraught with occupational diseases (dermatitis) and respiratory disorders (allergic rhinopathy and the pre-asthma syndrome).     

Hypersensitivity to pollen allergens on the Adriatic coast

This paper describes a study of air concentrations of pollens and a calendar of pollination around the town of Split on the Croatian Adriatic in 1994. High pollen concentrations of Parietaria officinalis dominated during the year (up to 20% from April to June) followed by the pollens of Pistacia lentiscus, Olea europaea, Pinus halepensis, Juniperus oxycedrus, Acacia baileyana, Artemisia vulgaris, Ambrosia elatior and Cistus monspeliensis. In 1994-95, skin prick tests using commercially available standard inhalation allergens and specially prepared pollen allergens were performed on 3,500 patients with allergic respiratory symptoms. About 30% were allergic to standard pollen allergens (mixed grass pollen, mixed tree pollen, Parietaria officinalis and Pittosporum tobira). Hypersensitivity to more than one allergen was found in 45% of patients, whereas 15% did not react to any of the standard allergens. Additional testing with newly prepared individual allergens (P. lentiscus, O. europaea, P. halepensis, A. baileyana, C. monspeliensis, A. vulgaris, A. elatior) revealed hypersensitivity in a number of patients, but 36% showed no reaction. This finding suggests that further studies of this kind are needed for additional identification, isolation, and characterisation of pollen allergens that are present in the Adriatic coast.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function of aluminum potroom workers

The association of occupational exposure with respiratory disease and lung function was examined in a cross-sectional study of 1805 aluminum potroom workers. Work-related asthmatic symptoms occurred in 15% of the workers with an exposure of 10 years or more and in 8% of the workers who had been employed less than five years. In a multiple logistic regression analysis an odds ratio (OR) of 3.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.1-5.8] for work-related asthmatic symptoms was estimated for long versus short duration of employment. Airflow limitation was also significantly related to years of exposure (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7-3.9). Current occupational exposure and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms were not significantly associated. The results suggest that exposure to air pollutants in the primary aluminum industry may lead to the development of asthmatic symptoms, as well as to reduced respiratory function.