title: Occupational exposure to aflatoxin B1 in swine production and possible contamination sources.
abstract: Although the adverse health consequences of ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are known, relatively few studies are available on the adverse effects of exposure in occupational settings. Taking this into consideration, our study was developed aiming to elucidate the possible effects of occupational exposure to AFB1 in Portuguese swine production facilities using a specific biomarker to assess exposure to AFB1. In total, 28 workers participated in this study, providing blood samples, and a control group (n = 30) was composed of subjects without any type of agricultural activity. Fungal contamination was also studied by conventional methods through air, surfaces, and new and used floor coverage. Twenty-one workers (75%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to 8.94 ng/ml and with a mean value of 1.91 ± 1.68 ng/ml. In the control group, the AFB1 values were all below 1 ng/ml. Twelve different Aspergillus species were identified. Aspergillus versicolor presented the highest airborne spore counts (3210 CFU/m3) and was also detected in higher values in surfaces (>300 CFU/cm2). Data indicate that exposure to AFB1 occurs in swine barns, and this site serves as a contamination source in an occupational setting.
authors.affiliation: a Environmental Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnique Institute of Lisbon , Lisboa , Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viegas
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Figueredo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Elisabete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carolino
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabino
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Veríssimo
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viegas
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D000383:Agriculture; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011042:Poisons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D011042:Poisons; D016604:Aflatoxin B1