Microbial contaminants of stored timber as potential respiratory hazards for sawmill workers.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dutkiewicz J ; Lewis, Daniel M. ; Olenchock SA ; Sorenson WG
• Description:
  A quantitative and qualitative study was made of the microflora of timber logs stored prior to sawmill processing, to assess potential respiratory risks to woodworkers of wood inhabiting microorganisms. Samples were obtained in August and October of 1987 from logs of six different species. Timber had been stored in a sawmill lumber yard for 4 to 6 weeks and had no visible signs of decay. One sample each of heartwood, sapwood and bark was obtained from each log. Quantification of bacteria and fungi was done by dilution plating on selective agars. Bacteria were evaluated qualitatively by colony morphology, Gram reaction and biochemical reactions. Molds were identified by morphological properties, and yeasts were identified based on morphological and biochemical properties. Endotoxin concentrations were determined with a chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. American-basswood and Black-locust had the highest levels of bacteria, fungi and endotoxin. Intermediate levels were noted in Soft-maple and Black-cherry, and lowest levels were in White-poplar and Red-oak. All three wood tissues yielded microorganisms and fungi. Gram negative bacteria dominated heartwood and sapwood, with nonfermentative species found commonly in heartwood and fermentative species more commonly in sapwood. Endotoxin levels correlated significantly with gram negative bacterial concentrations. Yeasts were the predominant fungi in all wood tissues and were in highest concentrations in sapwood. Molds were most commonly noted in bark. Microflora composition represented "pioneer" colonization. The authors conclude that some apparently undecayed stored timber contains very high levels of pioneer microorganisms and their toxins, which could cause respiratory disorders when inhaled with sawdust by woodworkers.
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Accidents, Occupational Explosions Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Biohazards Health Hazards Lumber Industry Microbiology NIOSH Author Qualitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis Wood Products Woodworking Industry
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Conference/Symposia Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  712-716
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00198857
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108, 1990 Sep; (Pt I):712-716
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1990
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Part Number:
  I
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c8f19452786083e00fa1339e73088d642eed92c0e37b390514694c53212a457770defd397ae4f20cdbca450aa9c8cf4931ec0bd1ec0692ef8115930b0ea65b8c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/180689/cdc_180689_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 221.54 KB ]