title: Respiratory symptoms, exhaled nitric oxide, and lung function among workers in Tanzanian coffee factories.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare chronic respiratory symptoms, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and lung function between Robusta and Arabica coffee workers and a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire (n = 138 coffee workers and n = 120 controls). The FENO was measured by NIOX MINO device (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden). Lung function was examined by a portable spirometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coffee workers had higher prevalence of chronic respiratory and asthma symptoms than controls. Robusta coffee workers were exposed to higher levels of endotoxin and had more asthma symptoms than Arabica coffee workers (38% vs. 18%). Coffee workers had reduced lung function associated with cumulative exposure to total dust and endotoxin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Work in coffee factories is associated with small but significant lung function impairment. These changes were not associated with the level of FENO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care and Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Hordaland, 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: Bente E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001944:Breath Tests; D040503:Coffea; D003069:Coffee; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003069:Coffee; D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins; D009569:Nitric Oxide