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Workers involved in animal confined feeding operation system (CAFO’s) are exposed to organic dust with high biological activity. This study was focus on exposure assessment to bioaerosols (bacteria and molds, organic dust, endotoxins, ammonia) as well as cross-shift changes in lung function and relative risk assessment of specific health complains and symptoms among polish swine farmers.
Methods
Occupational exposure assessment was carried out in 30 swine farms. The questionnaire interview, spirometry tests before and after the shift (using a portable spirometer) was done among 90 swine workers. Organic dust was collected using personal aerosol samplers. Bacteria and moulds were analyzed based on culturable methods. Endotoxin was assayed with the LAL test in a kinetic, chromogenic version. Ammonia was measured using Draeger pipes. Cross-shift changes in FVC, FEV1 , FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75 were analyzed. Mixed effects regression models were used to estimate the concentration of environmental agents. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of pulmonary changes and specific health complains.
Results
Swine farm workers were exposed to wide range of concentration of organic dust
(0.2-37.2 mg/m3), culturable bacteria and molds (4.4-107.2x104), respirable endotoxin
(5,5-18707,9 EU/m3) and ammonia (0.3-42.3 ppm). Significant declines in FEV1 mainly were found. Exposure concentrations associated with more than 5% decline in pulmonary function were respectively 2.64 mg/m3 for respirable dust, 1266 EU/m3 for respirable endotoxin, and 6.7 ppm for ammonia. The relative risk of allergic symptoms increased significantly with concentration of dust and endotoxin.
Discussion
Bioaerosol present in CAFO’s worker environment may induce allergic symptoms and cross-shift declines in lung function parameters.Dose-response trends between increasing organic dust, ammonia and endotoxin concentration and cross-shift declines in workers lung function were found.