title: Personal exposure to dust and endotoxin in Robusta and Arabica coffee processing factories in Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endotoxin exposure associated with organic dust exposure has been studied in several industries. Coffee cherries that are dried directly after harvest may differ in dust and endotoxin emissions to those that are peeled and washed before drying. The aim of this study was to measure personal total dust and endotoxin levels and to evaluate their determinants of exposure in coffee processing factories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Sidekick Casella pumps at a flow rate of 2l/min, total dust levels were measured in the workers' breathing zone throughout the shift. Endotoxin was analyzed using the kinetic chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Separate linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate exposure determinants for dust and endotoxin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total dust and endotoxin exposure were significantly higher in Robusta than in Arabica coffee factories (geometric mean 3.41 mg/m(3) and 10 800 EU/m(3) versus 2.10 mg/m(3) and 1400 EU/m(3), respectively). Dry pre-processed coffee and differences in work tasks explained 30% of the total variance for total dust and 71% of the variance for endotoxin exposure. High exposure in Robusta processing is associated with the dry pre-processing method used after harvest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dust and endotoxin exposure is high, in particular when processing dry pre-processed coffee. Minimization of dust emissions and use of efficient dust exhaust systems are important to prevent the development of respiratory system impairment in workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Heath Care, University of Bergen, 5018, Bergen, Norway. gsakwari@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sakwari
authors.forename: Simon H D
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mamuya
authors.forename: Magne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bråtveit
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pehrson
authors.forename: Bente E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003069:Coffee; D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins