Microbial contamination and immunologic reactivity of stored oats.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Marx JJ Jr. ; Olenchock SA ; Parker, John E. ; Sorenson WG
• Description:
  Bulk samples of oats were obtained from Alabama where a cluster of cases of organic dust toxic syndrome occurred in workers who shoveled approximately 800 bushels of oats from a poorly ventilated storage bin. Airborne dusts were obtained from the samples by acoustical Vibration in a laboratory dust generator. Microbial contamination of the airborne dusts, as measured by standard dilution plating techniques, revealed 1.4 x 105 colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m3) of total viable bacteria, 15 x 103 CFU/m3 of ram-negative bacteria, 1.8 x 105 CFU /m3 of thermophilic bacteria, and 83 x 104 CFU /m3 of fungi. The most common fungi isolated from the dust included Altemaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Scopulariopsis species. Analysis of the generated airborne dust for gram-negative bacterial endotoxins resulted in the detection of 325.71 Endotoxin Units per milligram of dust (EU /mg). The endotoxin contamination of the bulk oats was 122.66 EU/mg. An extract of the bulk sample consumed human serum complement in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion, indicating the inflammatory potential of the material Sera from the exposed workers were examined for antibodies against the extract, against antigens from the predominant fungi, and against standard antigens associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Evidence of exposure ( specific antibodies) was determined, although symptomatic and asymptomatic workers could not be differentiated. Stored oats provided a source of respiratory exposure to microbial antigens and to immunoreactive materials.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Biochemistry Carcinogens Chemistry Coloring Agents Enzyme Inhibitors Hazardous Substances Mutagens Occupational Health Safety Teratogenesis

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• Keywords:
  Agricultural Agricultural Workers Agriculture Airborne Dusts Antibodies Antigens Bacteria Blood Serum Dust Exposure Dusts Endotoxins Exposure Levels Farmers Farm Workers Fungi Grain Dusts Grain Handling In Vitro Studies In Vitro Study Laboratories Microorganisms Pneumonitis Pulmonary System Disorders Respiratory System Disorders Sampling Storage Containers Toxic Effects Toxins Ventilation Vibration Work Environment Workers

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• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; West Virginia ; Wisconsin
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  572
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056033
• Citation:
  Papers and Proceedings of the Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety and Health (FarmSafe 2000). Myers ML, Herrick RF, Olenchock SA, Myers JR, Parker, John E., Hard DL, Wilson K, eds. 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. 92-105, 1992 Sep; :572
• Editor(s):
  Myers ML ; Herrick RF ; Olenchock SA ; Myers JR ; Parker, John E. ; Hard DL ; Wilson K
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1992
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Papers and Proceedings of the Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety and Health (FarmSafe 2000), April 30-May 3, 1991, Des Moines, Iowa
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1088e23fe4ee0da7bade2d20752393c3be6e5c9fe8678f493fc3f46ac2239b58c1cf21e5956b441007ba60edf50e0a1e1b52950e0aeea5e4c59c71caa679fa44
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/181774/cdc_181774_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 61.29 KB ]