Respiratory effects of an exposure to grain dust among grain workers in the Vaud region (Switzerland)

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_8EF5219462E9
Type
Inproceedings: an article in a conference proceedings.
Publication sub-type
Abstract (Abstract): shot summary in a article that contain essentials elements presented during a scientific conference, lecture or from a poster.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Respiratory effects of an exposure to grain dust among grain workers in the Vaud region (Switzerland)
Title of the conference
Joint Annual Meeting of the Swiss Society for Allergology and Immunology and the Swiss Respiratory Society, Bern, 17-19 April, 2013
Author(s)
Dorribo Victor, Pralong Jacques A., Wild Pascal, Reboux Gabriel, Oppliger Anne, Danuser Brigitta, Niculita-Hirzel Hélène, Krief Peggy
ISSN
1423-0356 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0025-7931
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
85
Series
Respiration
Pages
534-535
Language
english
Abstract
Introduction: Bioaerosols such as grain dust, via biologically active agents, elicit local inflammation and direct immunological reactions within the human respiratory system. Workplace-dependent exposure to grain dust (GD) may thus induce asthma, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The aim of this study is 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). After obtaining informed consent, two evaluations at high- and low-exposing seasons take place, during which an occupational history and a detailed 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. The preliminary results presented hereafter are those of two of the four exposed groups, namely harvesters and mill workers, compared to the control groups, at first assessment (n=100).
Results: 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%), dermatologic (36%) and systemic (20%) occupational symptoms than controls (6.4%, 19%, 16%, 6.4%, 1.6% 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 exposed groups. Detailed supplementary analyses are pending.
Keywords
Occupational Exposure, Endotoxins/analysis, Agricultural Workers' Diseases/prevention & control, Switzerland
Open Access
Yes
Create date
15/10/2013 15:03
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:52
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