Environmental Survey of Occupational Exposure to Aerosolized Egg Allergens in the Egg Processing Industry

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bernstein DI ; Biagini, Raymond E. ; Boeniger, Mark F. ; Lummus ZL ; Massoudi M ; Bernstein DI ; Biagini, Raymond E. ; Boeniger, Mark F. ; Lummus ZL ; Massoudi M
• Description:
  Inhaled proteins arc occupational allergens that cause IgE-mcdiatcd occupational asthma (OA) in egg production workers (Ws). Raw and processed egg particles become airborne during processing. To evaluate occupational ambient exposure to aerosolized egg, we analyzed the quantity and worksitc distribution of total protein and specific egg white allergens; ovalbumin (OVA), ovomucoid (OVOM), & egg lyzozyme (LYS), at a facility with 95 exposed Ws. Aerosol exposures were monitored using 37-mm closedface cassettes with polyethylene-supported Teflon TM filters and personal sampling pumps, with air flow of 2 l/min., for an 8-hour shift. Filter protein was eluted in PBS, .05% Tween 20. pH 7.4. BCA tests (Pierce) were used to measure total protein; specific allergens were measured by competitive inhibition and sandwich EIAs. In stationary paired samples, the mean respirable/total protein ratio was 322/6(17 ug/m 3. A control referent plant showed a maximum of 41 ug/m3 protein with no detectable specific egg protein. The results indicate that OVA, which comprises 54% of egg protein was the predominant airborne antigen. Air sampling for egg protein can be useful to identify those locations where workers are exposed to high concentrations and where additional controls might be implemented. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Hypersensitivity Immune System Irritants Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Allergic-reactions Allergies Immune-reaction Immunological-tests Occupational-exposure Occupational-respiratory-disease Proteins Pulmonary-system-disorders Respiratory-irritants Respiratory-system-disorders Sensitivity-testing Sensitization

  More +
• ISSN:
  0091-6749
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary ; Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies ; DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences ; DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies ; DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Volume:
  99
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20033998
• Citation:
  J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997 Jan; 99(1)(Suppl 2):S502
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1997
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Supplement:
  2
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e179db602fb5c5f3b5ceed60408dcd2ecedcef3add89f9cbb6037e338578fdcafe02797f9c7deb5a8303451cb910e168431ed834c1ad123c8e814fdd09f71af8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189389/cdc_189389_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 306.64 KB ]