Abstract
Introduction
Bioaerosols such as grain dust (GD) elicit direct immunological reactions within the human respiratory system. Workplace-dependent exposure to GD may induce asthma, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Aims
To assess the clinical impact of occupational exposure to GD and to determine quantitative biological markers of bioaerosol exposure in grain workers.
Methods
This longitudinal study has been conducted from summer 2012 to summer 2013, comprising 6 groups of 30 active workers with different GD exposure patterns (4 groups of grain workers, 2 control groups).
Two evaluations at high- and low-exposing seasons take place, during which an occupational and a medical history are questionnaire-assessed, lung function is evaluated by spirometry, airway inflammation is measured by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and specific blood IgG and IgE are titrated.
Results
The preliminary results are those of 2 of the 4 exposed groups, (harvesters and mill workers), compared to the control groups, at first assessment (n=100).
Mean age is 38.4 [years]; 98% are male. Exposed groups differ from controls (p<0.05) in daily contact with animals (57% vs. 40%) and active smoking (39% vs. 11%). Grain workers have more respiratory (50%), nasal (57%), ocular (45%) and dermatologic (36%) occupational symptoms than controls (6.4%, 19%, 16%, 6.4% respectively, p<0.05). Lower mean peak-expiratory-flow (PEF) values (96.1 ± 18.9 vs. 108.2 ± 17.4 [% of predicted], p<0.05) and eNO values (13.9 ± 9.6 vs. 20.5 ± 14.7 [ppm], p<0.05) are observed in the exposed groups.
Conclusion
Preliminary results show a higher prevalence of clinical symptoms and a lower mean PEF value in the groups exposed to GD.
- © 2013 ERS