The effects of exposure to organic dust on the respiratory system of potato processing workers.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate lung function and the prevalence of work-related symptoms in workers of a potato processing plant located in Lublin region (eastern Poland). The study group comprised 61 workers employed in 2 departments. The examination included: physician-administrated questionnaire on occurrence of work-related symptoms, occupational history and smoking habits. Spirometry was performed before (7:00-8:00) and after (16:00-17:00) the morning shift. Altogether 41/61 (67.2%) subjects reported at least one symptom associated with their job. Pulmonary symptoms were recorded in 28/61 (45.9%) subjects. The most commonly recorded complaints were: cough (44.3%), hoarseness (19.7%), shortness of breath (18%), followed by headache and skin lesion (13.1% each), and eye and nose irritation (11.5%). The prevalence of work-related symptoms (except for eye and nose irritation) was higher in the group of subjects working longer than 4 years (the difference was statistically significant only for skin lesion). Among non-smoking workers a significantly higher prevalence of headache was seen compared to smokers (Fisher's test, p < 0.05). Smokers complained more frequently of respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness and chest pain. The difference was significant only for cough (p < 0.05). A statistically significant over-shift decline in all measured spirometric values: FVC, FEV(1) (p < 0.001), FEV(1)/VC (p < 0.05), PEF (p < 0.01) was observed.
Milanowski
Janusz
J
Clinic of Lung Diseases, Medical Academy, Lublin, Poland.
Góra
Anna
A
Skórska
Czesława
C
Mackiewicz
Barbara
B
Krysińska-Traczyk
Ewa
E
Cholewa
Grazyna
G
Sitkowska
Jolanta
J
Dutkiewicz
Jacek
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking; D011198:Solanum tuberosum
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust