AGRICULTURAL-INDUSTRY
RESPIRATORY-SYSTEM-DISORDERS

LUNG FUNCTION AND CHRONIC RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS OF PIG FARMERS: FOCUS ON EXPOSURE TO ENDOTOXINS AND AMMONIA AND USE OF DISINFECTANTS

Associations between exposure to endotoxins, ammonia and disinfectants with respiratory health status were examined in 194 Dutch pig farmers, 94 of whom had symptoms such as chronic cough or phlegm, wheezing, dyspnea, or chest tightness. Lung function parameters were lower in the symptomatic farmers. A total of 150 farmers practiced some type of disinfection procedure. Inhalable dust, endotoxin, or ammonia exposure was not significantly related with the occurrence of respiratory symptoms. Changes in lung function were inversely associated with endotoxin exposures in asymptomatic farmers and positively associated with ammonia exposure and length of a disinfection procedure in all farmers. The authors conclude that the etiology of chronic respiratory symptoms in pig farmers is multifactorial with contributions from disinfectant use and endotoxin and ammonia exposures.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 52(10):654-660, 1995. 36 references)

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