TY - JOUR
T1 - Pulmonary function reductions among potentially susceptible subgroups of agricultural workers in Colorado and Nebraska
AU - Reynolds, Stephen J.
AU - Clark, Maggie L.
AU - Koehncke, Niels
AU - Von Essen, Susanna
AU - Prinz, Linda
AU - Keefe, Thomas J.
AU - Mehaffy, John
AU - Bradford, Mary
AU - Cranmer, Brian
AU - Davidson, Margaret E.
AU - Yang, Ivana V.
AU - Burch, James B.
PY - 2012/5
Y1 - 2012/5
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Organic dust inhalation has been associated with adverse respiratory responses among agricultural workers. We evaluated factors that may confer increased susceptibility to these health effects. METHODS: We quantified personal work shift exposures to inhalable dust, endotoxin, and its 3-hydroxy fatty acid constituents, and evaluated changes in pulmonary function among 137 grain elevator, cattle feedlot, dairy, and corn farm workers. RESULTS: Increased dust exposure was associated with work shift reductions in lung function. Although interpretation is limited because of small samples, a suggestion of stronger exposure-response relationships was observed among smokers, as well as workers reporting pesticide/herbicide application, asthma, or allergies, and those with genetic polymorphisms (TLR4) (Pinteraction ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of factors leading to increased susceptibility of adverse respiratory outcomes is needed to optimize exposure reduction strategies and develop more comprehensive wellness programs.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Organic dust inhalation has been associated with adverse respiratory responses among agricultural workers. We evaluated factors that may confer increased susceptibility to these health effects. METHODS: We quantified personal work shift exposures to inhalable dust, endotoxin, and its 3-hydroxy fatty acid constituents, and evaluated changes in pulmonary function among 137 grain elevator, cattle feedlot, dairy, and corn farm workers. RESULTS: Increased dust exposure was associated with work shift reductions in lung function. Although interpretation is limited because of small samples, a suggestion of stronger exposure-response relationships was observed among smokers, as well as workers reporting pesticide/herbicide application, asthma, or allergies, and those with genetic polymorphisms (TLR4) (Pinteraction ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of factors leading to increased susceptibility of adverse respiratory outcomes is needed to optimize exposure reduction strategies and develop more comprehensive wellness programs.
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U2 - 10.1097/JOM.0b013e31824d2e1c
DO - 10.1097/JOM.0b013e31824d2e1c
M3 - Review article
C2 - 22576462
AN - SCOPUS:84862109338
SN - 1076-2752
VL - 54
SP - 632
EP - 641
JO - Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
JF - Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
IS - 5
ER -