Inhalable dust and protein exposure in soybean processing plants.
Little is known about inhalable dust concentrations in soybean processing plants in southern Africa. This project measured inhalable dust in soybean plants in the region and correlated dust measurements with total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor. Sixty-four personal inhalable dust measurements were taken in three processing plants. Levels of total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor were determined in only two of the three plants. Correlations between inhalable dust, total protein and trypsin inhibitor were determined for 44 of 64 samples. In plants' production areas, inhalable dust levels were 0.24-35.02 mg/m3 (median 2.58 mg/m3). Total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor levels were 29.41-448.82 microg/m3 (median 90.09 microg/m3) and 0.05-2.58 microg/m3 (median 0.07 microg/m3), respectively. No statistically significant correlations between presence of inhalable dust and soy trypsin inhibitor were found. Total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor were better correlated. This study indicates that total protein might be a good proxy for soybean specific protein concentrations in soybean processing plants.
Spies
Adri
A
National Institute for Occupational Health, South Africa. adri.spies@nioh.nhls.ac.za
Rees
David
D
Fourie
Anna M
AM
Wilson
Kerry S
KS
Harris-Roberts
Joanne
J
Robinson
Edward
E
D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013019:South Africa; D013025:Glycine max
D004391:Dust; D011506:Proteins