title: Respiratory symptoms in insect breeders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of specialist food suppliers in the UK breed and distribute insects and insect larvae as food for exotic pets, such as reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the extent of work-related (WR) symptoms and workplace-specific serum IgE in workers potentially exposed to a variety of biological contaminants, including insect and insect larvae allergens, endotoxin and cereal allergens at a UK specialist insect breeding facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook a study of respiratory symptoms and exposures at the facility, with subsequent detailed clinical assessment of one worker. All 32 workers were assessed clinically using a respiratory questionnaire and lung function. Eighteen workers consented to provide serum for determination of specific IgE to workplace allergens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four per cent (11/32) of insect workers reported WR respiratory symptoms. Sensitization, as judged by specific IgE, was found in 29% (4/14) of currently exposed workers. Total inhalable dust levels ranged from 1.2 to 17.9 mg/m(3) [mean 4.3 mg/m(3) (SD 4.4 mg/m(3)), median 2.0 mg/m(3)] and endotoxin levels of up to 29435 EU/m(3) were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to organic dusts below the levels for which there are UK workplace exposure limits can result in respiratory symptoms and sensitization. The results should alert those responsible for the health of similarly exposed workers to the potential for respiratory ill-health and the need to provide a suitable health surveillance programme.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Workplace Health, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris-Roberts
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fishwick
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rawbone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stagg
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adisesh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000663:Amphibians; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001947:Breeding; D006801:Humans; D007313:Insecta; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012104:Reptiles; D017751:Safety Management / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens