title: [Respiratory symptoms among industrial workers exposed to water aerosol. A pilot study of process water and air microbial quality].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The frequency of respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to water aerosol was evaluated along with the preliminary assessment of microbiological contamination of air and water used in glass processing plants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was conducted in 131 workers from 9 glass processing plants. Questions focused on working conditions, respiratory symptoms and smoking habits. A pilot study of air and water microbiological contamination in one glass processing plant was performed. Water samples were tested for Legionella in accordance with EN ISO 11731-2:2008 and for total colony count according to PN-EN ISO 6222:2004. Air samples were tested for total numbers of molds and mildews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the year preceding the survey acute respiratory symptoms occurred in 28.2% of participants, while chronic symptoms were reported by 29% of respondents. Increased risks of cough and acute symptoms suggestive of pneumonia were found among the respondents working at a distance up to 20 m from the source of water aerosol compared to other workers (OR = 2.7), with no difference in the frequency of other symptoms. A microbiological analysis of water samples from selected glass plant revealed the presence of L. pneumophila, exceeding 1000 cfu/100 ml. The number of bacteria and fungi detected in air samples (above 1000 cfu/m3) suggested that water aerosol at workplaces can be one of the sources of the air microbial contamination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The questionnaire survey revealed an increased risk of cough and acute symptoms suggestive of pneumonia in the group working at a shortest distance form the source of water aerosol.
authors: Zakład Higieny Srodowiska, Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego - Paistwowy Zaklad Higieny, Warszawa, Poland. bkrogulska@pzh.gov.pl
authors: Bozena
authors: B
authors: Krogulska
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Matuszewska
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Bartosik
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Krogulski
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Szczotko
authors: Dorota
authors: D
authors: Maziarka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007875:Legionella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014871:Water Microbiology; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational