title: Exposure to bioaerosols, respiratory health and lung-specific proteins: a prospective study in garbage and wastewater workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively assess respiratory health in wastewater workers and garbage collectors over 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exposure, respiratory symptoms and conditions, spirometry and lung-specific proteins were assessed yearly in a cohort of 304 controls, 247 wastewater workers and 52 garbage collectors. Results were analysed with random coefficient models and linear regression taking into account several potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms, spirometry and lung-specific proteins were not affected by occupational exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population no effects of occupational exposure to bioaerosols were found, probably because of good working conditions.
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Unit, ISPM, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tschopp
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thommen
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeggli
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oppliger
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hotz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D013147:Spirometry; D014598:Uteroglobin / Q000097:blood*; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D014598:Uteroglobin