Endotoxin exposure as a major determinant of lung function decline in pig farmers.
Exposure-response relationships for endotoxin as measured in dust and longitudinal decline in lung function were studied. A cohort of 171 pig farmers was followed over a 3-yr period. Long-term average exposure to dust and endotoxin was determined by personal monitoring in summer and winter, using data on farm characteristics and activities. Mean decline in FEV1 was 73 ml/yr and in FVC 55 ml/ yr. Long-term average exposure to dust was 2.63 mg/m3 (geometric SD [GSD] 1.30), and to endotoxin, 105 ng/m3 (GSD 1.5). Annual decline in FEV1 was significantly associated with endotoxin exposure. An increase in exposure with a factor 2 was associated with an extra decline of FEV1 of 19 ml/yr.
Vogelzang
P F
PF
Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. P.Vogelzang@hsv.kun.nl
van der Gulden
J W
JW
Folgering
H
H
Kolk
J J
JJ
Heederik
D
D
Preller
L
L
Tielen
M J
MJ
van Schayck
C P
CP
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013552:Swine; D014797:Vital Capacity
D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins