The role of endotoxin in grain dust-induced lung disease

Details

• Personal Author:
  Burmeister LF ; Olenchock, Stephen A. ; Quinn TJ ; Schwartz DA ; Thorne PS ; Watt JL ; Yagla SJ
• Description:
  An effort was made to identify the contribution of endotoxin to grain dust induced lung disease. Health and environmental evaluations were conducted on 410 grain handlers and 201 postal workers and their working facilities in Iowa City. Grain workers were found to be exposed to higher concentrations of total and respirable dust and endotoxin compared with the postal workers. In addition, a higher prevalence of work related and chronic respiratory symptoms such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness, and dyspnea was identified in the grain handlers. A strong association was identified between higher levels of total endotoxin and an increased prevalence of work related respiratory symptoms. The only lung function parameter distinguishing the two groups was forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1), which was slightly reduced in grain workers. Statistical analysis controlling for age, gender, and smoking indicated an association between working in the grain industry and spirometric measures of airflow obstruction and a greater decline in FEV1 in response to histamine. Higher concentrations of endotoxin also appeared to be associated with diminished measures of airflow and enhanced bronchial reactivity. The authors suggest that endotoxin concentrations in bioaerosols may play an important role in the development of grain dust induced lung disease. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Dust Hazardous Substances Lung Lung Diseases Occupational Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Grain-dusts Lung-disorders Lung-function NIOSH-Cooperative-Agreement NIOSH-Publication Occupational-diseases Occupational-exposure Toxic-effects
• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  152
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00229587
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995 Aug; 152(2):603-608
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1995
• NORA Priority Area:
  Pulmonary System Disorders
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19900930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• End Date:
  20020929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ca574cec50636306acf9bc3e2c822a06be3bafd024d94f080c7d26874275b2785f23f0657c5475786e69c6d60e6844be47145d630bba67e384fd6364b536e0de
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/205772/cdc_205772_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 739.58 KB ]