[Occupational exposure to prions due to contact with meat and bone meal (MBM)].
Meat and bone meal (MBM) is free from conventional biological factors if it is not subjected to a secondary pollution, but it may be a potential source of prions. Prions are widely accepted as being the casual agents of a range of serious infectious diseases characterized by degenerative processes in the nervous system. These diseases occur in both humans and animals. The recommended method of producing MBM is now regarded by experts as optimal as it sufficiently eliminates prions, which may be present in the animal material used in MBM production. However, it has been stressed that neither this nor any other method used can guarantee that all prions are completely neutralized. Workers employed in utilizing plants, which produce MBM, plants producing fertilizers and animal fodder, power stations using MBM as an alternative fuel, MBM store-houses, as well as those dealing with MBM distribution and transport form occupational groups at a higher risk. In the opinion of experts, the risk of infection with prions among workers having contact with MBM is very low and it should be regarded as acceptable for this kind of exposure. It is worth noting that guidelines on how to prevent and reduce contacts with MBM has already been elaborated.
Zielińska-Jankiewicz
Katarzyna
K
Zakład Srodowiskowych Zagrozeń Zdrowia, Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Lódź. anias@imp.lodz.pl
Kozajda
Anna
A
Szadkowska-Stańczyk
Irena
I
D001688:Biological Products / Q000633:toxicity; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000633:toxicity*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011044:Poland; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011328:Prions / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D017751:Safety Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D017132:Workplace
D001688:Biological Products; D008903:Minerals; D011328:Prions; C027762:bone meal