Effects of bioaerosol exposure on respiratory health in compost workers: a 13-year follow-up study.
Occup Environ Med
; 73(12): 829-837, 2016 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27507893
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the risk of German compost workers developing chronic respiratory effects from long-term exposure to bioaerosols.METHODS:
Respiratory health was determined in 74 currently exposed compost workers and 37 non-exposed controls after 13â years of follow-up. In addition, 42 former compost workers (drop-outs) who left their work during the follow-up period were also examined. Respiratory symptoms and working conditions were assessed using identical questionnaires as at baseline. In addition, lung function was measured using the same spirometer as in the initial study. Sera from both surveys were tested for specific IgE and IgG antibodies to moulds and the risk of work-related symptoms was evaluated using regression approaches for prospective studies with binary data.RESULTS:
In the follow-up period, the number of participants reporting cough significantly increased in compost workers and drop-outs compared to the controls. Working as a compost worker for at least 5â years increased the relative risk for cough (RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4) and for cough with phlegm (RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5). Current and former compost workers had slightly lower predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1â s and predicted percentage of forced vital capacity than controls, but decrease in lung function during follow-up was not different among the 3 groups. In addition, no significant changes could be detected in antibody concentrations.CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest that chronic exposure to bioaerosols in composting plants is related to a significantly higher risk for cough with phlegm, indicating chronic bronchitis. However, compost workers showed no higher incidence of deterioration of pulmonary function over the study.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças Respiratórias
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Exposição Ocupacional
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Aerossóis
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Doenças Profissionais
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
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Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Environ Med
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha