Measures of Dust, Endotoxin and Exhaled Nitric Oxide Among Dairy Farm Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boggaram V ; Levin J ; Nonnenmann MW ; Reynolds S
• Description:
  Inhalation of organic dust including endotoxin has been associated with inflammatory response of the pulmonary system. Limited studies have evaluated the work shift effects of endotoxin on respiratory outcomes for workers in the dairy industry, such as spirometry changes. Additionally, measurement techniques for exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) have been standardized by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and used as a biomarker to identify diseases marked with lung inflammation. Dairy parlor workers are known to work long hours in one location with little task variability. The objectives of this study were to quantify exposure concentrations of inhalable dust and endotoxin among dairy parlor workers, evaluate acute cross-shift changes in respiratory status using spirometry, and assess the effectiveness of exhaled nitric oxide for detecting cross-shift bronchial responsiveness changes. Sixty-two dairy parlor workers from 10 large herd dairy farms across Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota were recruited into the cross-sectional study. A total of 160 measures of spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, and pulmonary symptoms were collected. Additionally, 160 inhalable aerosol exposure samples using personal breathing zone sampling were collected among dairy parlor workers. Aerosol exposure samples were also analyzed for dust, and endotoxin and muramic acid. Inhalable dust concentrations ranged from 0.09 - 4.95 mg/m3 with a geometric mean of 0.58 mg/m3. Inhalable endotoxin concentrations ranged from 4-1968 EU/m3 with a geometric mean of 118 EU/m3. Inhalable muramic acid concentrations ranged from 0.802-41.0 ng/m3 with a geometric mean of 3.59 ng/m3. The study group's pre-shift forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) as a percentage of predicted was an average of 93.4%. Study group cross-shift FEV1 decreased by -1.16%. Six participants with moderate post-shift concentrations of eNO had an average FEV1 cross-shift change of -3.19%. Dairy parlor workers are exposed to lower concentrations of dust than has been observed in previous studies. However, some workers may still be adversely impacted. Future studies should test simple, effective, interventions in milking parlors to reduce dust exposure among dairy parlor workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Dairy Products Dust Endotoxins Lung Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Workers Breathing Zone Cross Sectional Studies Dairy Products Inhalation Organic Dusts Pulmonary Effects Work Intervals
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; Minnesota ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 7 ; OSHA Region 8 ; South Dakota ; Wisconsin
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-31
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056519
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2019-101400
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, K01-OH-009674, 2013 Nov; :1-31
• Contact Point Address:
  Matthew W. Nonnenmann, PhD, CIH, The University of Iowa, S335 CPHB; 105 River St., Iowa City, Iowa 52245
• Email:
  matthew-nonnenmann@uiowa.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Nitric oxide (CAS RN 10102-43-9)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa - Iowa City
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20100801
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20130731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:37d00083bbdc3da8843e5c30c3e910c71ac34147ab45d5e5a233d1577caef6f2c35ebd15f46c5b35b38e49530e5eebd009c535690f9c41155e73167b2d8a898f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218898/cdc_218898_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.22 MB ]