Organic dust-related respiratory and eye irritation in Norwegian farmers.
BACKGROUND
Information on exposure to organic dust and work-related symptoms in farmers is sparse.


METHODS
An exposure study was nested in a survey of 8,482 farmers and spouses. Task-related respiratory and eye symptoms were recorded by questionnaire. Personal exposure to total dust, fungal spores, bacteria, endotoxins, and ammonia during 12 different tasks was measured in a random sample of 127 farms (288 measurements).


RESULTS
The prevalence of work-related symptoms occurring "often" was 31% and "seldom" 35%. Specific tasks provoking symptoms were reported by 5-55% of the farmers. Task mean exposures ranged from 0.04 to 2 mg dust/m(3), 0.02 x 10(6) to 2 x 10(6) fungal spores/m(3), 0.2 x 10(6) to 48 x 10(6) bacteria/m(3), 0.5 x 10(3) to 28 x 10(3) endotoxin units/m(3), and 0 to 8 ppm ammonia. Task mean exposure levels were positively correlated with task-specific symptom prevalences for total dust, fungal spores, and endotoxins but not for bacteria and ammonia.


CONCLUSIONS
Work-related symptoms are common in farmers and are associated with exposure to total dust, fungal spores, and endotoxins.
Melbostad
E
E
National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway. wijnand.eduard@stami.no
Eduard
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000641:Ammonia / Q000009:adverse effects; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins; D000641:Ammonia