title: Respiratory symptoms, lung function and cell surface markers in a group of hemp fiber processors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemp dust exposure is associated with byssinosis and accelerated lung loss in longitudinal studies. The immunological changes associated with hemp dust exposure are less well understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied a small group of current male hemp processors with a mean age of 43 years. Questionnaire data, lung function, serial FEV(1) and blood were collected from all workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, seven workers (64%) complained of at least one respiratory symptom (one with byssinosis). The mean percentage predicted FEV(1) was 91.5, FVC 97.7, PEF 92.1, and FEF(25-75) 79.5. Serial FEV(1) measurements in the two workers with work-related respiratory symptoms revealed a mean change in FEV(1) on the first working day of -12.9%. This contrasted with +6.25% on the last working day. Respective values for the two workers without work-related symptoms were -1.4 and +3.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lung function changes and abnormalities in a profile of cell surface activation markers and antibodies were noted to relate to the presence of work-related respiratory symptoms, not seen in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield, UK S3 7HQ. david.fishwick@hsl.gov.uk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fishwick
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Curran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D002095:Byssinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013783:Textile Industry; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D007073:Immunoglobulin E