title: Occupational exposure to fungi and particles in animal feed industry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very few studies regarding fungal and particulate matter (PM) exposure in feed industry have been reported, although such contaminants are likely to be a significant contributing factor to several symptoms reported among workers. The purpose of this study has been to characterize fungal and dust exposure in one Portuguese feed industry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Air and surface samples were collected and subject to further macro- and microscopic observations. In addition we collected other air samples in order to perform real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of genes from Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus complexes as well as Stachybotrys chartarum. Additionally, two exposure metrics were considered - particle mass concentration (PMC), measured in 5 different sizes (PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5, PM5, PM10), and particle number concentration (PNC) based on results given in 6 different sizes in terms of diameter (0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 2.5 μm, 5 μm and 10 μm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Species from the Aspergillus fumigatus complex were the most abundant in air (46.6%) and in surfaces, Penicillium genus was the most frequently found (32%). The only DNA was detected from A. fumigatus complex. The most prevalent in dust samples were smaller particles which may reach deep into the respiratory system and trigger not only local effects but also the systemic ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research work must be developed aiming at assessing the real health effects of these co-exposures. Med Pr 2016;67(2):143-154.
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology). carla.viegas@estesl.ipl.pt.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viegas
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology). tiagof_scp@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology). etcarolino@estesl.ipl.pt.
authors.forename: Elisabete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carolino
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology). raquelsabino@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabino
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology). anita.gomes@estesl.ipl.pt.
authors.forename: Anita Quintal
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology). susana.viegas@estesl.ipl.pt.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viegas
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D000821:Animal Feed; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011174:Portugal; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Aspergillus flavus complex; Aspergillus fumigatus complex; dust; feed industry; fungi; occupational exposure