Ubicacion

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

AAEM
Ann Agric Environ Med 2002, 9, 243–247

THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO ORGANIC DUST ON THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF POTATO PROCESSING WORKERS Janusz Milanowski1, Anna Góra2&]HVáDZD6NyUVND2, Barbara Mackiewicz1, (ZD.U\VLVND-Traczyk2*UD*\QD&KROHZD2, Jolanta Sitkowska2, Jacek Dutkiewicz2
Clinic of Lung Diseases, Medical Academy, Lublin, Poland Department of OccupationalBiohazards, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin, Poland
1

2

Milanowski J, Góra $ 6NyUVND & 0DFNLHZLF] % .U\VLVND-Traczyk E, Cholewa G, Sitkowska J, Dutkiewicz J: The effects of exposure to organic dust on the respiratory system of potato processing workers. Ann Agric Environ Med 2002, 9, 243–247. Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate lung function and theprevalence of work-related symptoms in workers of a potato processing plant located in Lublin region (eastern Poland). The study group comprised 61 workers employed in 2 departments. The examination included: physician-administrated questionnaire on occurrence of work-related symptoms, occupational history and smoking habits. Spirometry was performed before (7:00–8:00) and after (16:00–17:00) themorning shift. Altogether 41/61 (67.2%) subjects reported at least one symptom associated with their job. Pulmonary symptoms were recorded in 28/61 (45.9%) subjects. The most commonly recorded complaints were: cough (44.3%), hoarseness (19.7%), shortness of breath (18%), followed by headache and skin lesion (13.1% each), and eye and nose irritation (11.5%). The prevalence of work-related symptoms(except for eye and nose irritation) was higher in the group of subjects working longer than 4 years (the difference was statistically significant only for skin lesion). Among non-smoking workers a significantly higher prevalence of headache was seen compared to smokers (Fisher’s test, p < 0.05). Smokers complained more frequently of respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, hoarsenessand chest pain. The difference was significant only for cough (p < 0.05). A statistically significant over-shift decline in all measured spirometric values: FVC, FEV1 (p < 0.001), FEV1/VC (p < 0.05), PEF (p < 0.01) was observed. Address for correspondence: Prof. Janusz Milanowski, MD, Clinic of Lung Diseases, Medical Academy, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland. Key words: potato processing,health effects, lung function, work-related symptoms.

INTRODUCTION Results of epidemiological studies indicate that workers employed in the agricultural crops processing industry have an increased risk of suffering from work-related symptoms [4, 11, 15, 18, 20, 30, 33, 34]. This is mainly due to the exposure to high concentrations of organic dust comprising bacteria and their degradations products,fungi and the substances of plant or animal origin (pollen, animal dander) [3, 5, 7, 12,18, 22, 31]. It is widely recognized that inhalation of such a large variety of
Received: 29 September 2002 Accepted: 15 November 2002

antigens may lead to development of skin, eye and nose symptoms, asthma, allergic alveolitis, various chronic respiratory symptoms [4, 6, 10, 13, 21, 26, 27, 30, 34], and lungfunction decrement [18, 29, 32, 34]. Zuskin et al. [34] found a high prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among poultry food processing workers. Rosenman et al. [20] described a case of occupational asthma in a 33-year-old man employed in the sugar beet processing industry. During the work, patient experienced episodes of dry cough, shortness of breath, sharp chest pains, sore throat andfatigue. Positive

244

Milanowski J, Góra $6NyUVND&0DFNLHZLF]%.U\VLVND-Traczyk E, Cholewa G, Sitkowska J, Dutkiewicz J Table 2. Frequency of work-related symptoms reported by potato processing workers employed in different departments. Workers reporting symptoms n (%) Department P Cough Shortness of breath Chest pain Total pulmonary symptoms Headache Temperature Total general symptoms 16...