Beta(1-->3)-glucan exposure levels among workers in four British Columbia sawmills.
Beta(1-->3)-glucans were extracted from wood dust samples taken during the summer of 1997 at four British Columbia sawmills. Personal dust samples were collected using a GSP-sampler for inhalable dust and the sampling strategy targeted all production and maintenance jobs at least once at each mill. Potential exposure determinants data were documented concurrently, including weather conditions, log storage methods, wood conditions, species, production level, jobs and tasks. beta(1-->3)-glucans were measured by enzyme inhibition immunoassay (EIA). A total of 223 personal beta(1-->3)-glucan samples were analyzed. 45.7% were below the limit of detection (LOD). Geometric mean concentration ranged from 3.5 to 18.9 micro g/m(3) across the four mills. The highest levels were measured at the Interior mills, particularly in the log processing and sawmill areas. Multivariate regression models indicated that land-based log storage, clean-up jobs, high wood dust concentration, lumber yard department and the interaction between land-based log storage method and log processing department were associated with increased beta(1-->3)-glucan concentration.
Ronald
Lisa A
LA
Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Davies
Hugh W
HW
Bartlett
Karen H
KH
Kennedy
Susan M
SM
Teschke
Kay
K
Spithoven
Jacques
J
Dennekamp
Martine
M
Demers
Paul A
PA
D000336:Aerosols; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D001955:British Columbia; D004391:Dust; D005936:Glucans / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014934:Wood
D000336:Aerosols; D004391:Dust; D005936:Glucans