Follow-up study of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacty in sisal workers

Ispitivana je prevalencija akutnih i kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i ventilacijska funkcija pluća u 50 tekstilnih radnica izloženih prašini sisala. U ponovljeno ispitivanje nakon 19 godina uključeno je 20 od prethodno 50 ispitivanih radnica. Tijekom prvog ispitivanja utvrđena je znatno veća prevalencija svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma u izloženih nego u radnica kontrolne skupine premda je razlika bila statistički značajna samo za stezanje u prsima (P<0,01). Uspoređivanjem prevalencije pri prvom i ponovljenom ispitivanju u 20 tekstilnih radnica dobiveno je statistički značajno povećanje za kronični kašalj, dispneju, stezanje u prsima i katar nosa. U ponovljenom ispitivanju prevalencija većine kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je značajno viša u izloženih radnica nego u radnica kontrolne skupine. Rezultati ventilacijske funkcije pluća u 50 radnica na preradi sisala upućuju na značajne akutne redukcije FVC i FEV1 tijekom radne smjene ponedjeljkom i četvrtkom. Uspoređivanje izmjerenih vrijednosti s očekivanim normalnim vrijednostima prikazuje niže vrijednosti pri ponovljenom ispitivanju u odnosu prema onima tijekom prvog ispitivanja. Prosječni godišnji pad ventilacijskih testova iznosio je 0,027 L za FVC i 0,036 L za FEV 1. Naši podaci upućuju na to da dugotrajna izloženost prašini sisala može u osjetljivih osoba dovesti do razvoja kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i oštećenja ventilacijskog kapaciteta pluća.The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity was studied in 50 textile workers exposed to sisal dust. A follow-up study was performed 19 years later and induced 20 workers out of the 50. The first study showed a considerably higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in the exposed than in control workers although the difference was statistically significant only for chest tightness (P<0.01). Comparison of the prevalence in the first and the follow-up study in 20 textile workers revealed a statistically significant increase in the rate of chronic cough, dyspnea, chest tightness and nasal catarrh. During the follow-up study the prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in exposed than in control workers. Results of ventilatory capacity in 50 sisal workers showed acute reductions of FVC and FEV1 during work shift on Monday and the following Thursday. Comparison of the measured and predicted normal values demonstrated lower values in the follow-up study in comparison to those in the first study. The mean annual fall of ventilatory capacity tests was 0.027 L for FVC and 0.036 L for FEV1. Data suggest that long-term exposure to sisal dust may cause the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment in sensitive subjects

Immunological reactions, respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in textile jute and sisal workers

Ispitivane su alergijske reakcije u odnosu na respiratorne simptome i ventilacijsku funkciju pluća u skupini od 41 tekstilne radnice zaposlene na preradi jute i sisala. Svega 5,0% radnica na preradi jute i 9,5% radnica na preradi sisala reagiralo je u pozitivnim kožnim testovima na alergene jute ili sisala. U četiri tekstilne radnice (9,8%) utvrđene su povišene vrijednosti IgE. U 35 radnica kontrolne skupine 11,4% je reagiralo pozitivnim kožnim testom na jutu ili sisal, a u 2,9% radnica utvrđen je povišen IgE. Kronični respiratorni simptomi, kao i promjene ventilacijskog kapaciteta utvrđeni su i u tekstilnih radnica s pozitivnim i u onih s negativnim kožnim testovima. Naši podaci upućuju na to da imunološke reakcije vjerojatno nisu odgovorne za razvoj respiratornih poremećaja u tekstilnih radnica izloženih prašini jute i sisala.Allergic reactions in relation to respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 41 textile workers employed in the processing of jute and sisal. Only 5.0% of the jute workers and 9.5% of the sisal workers demonstrated positive skin reactions to jute or sisal allergens. Increased IgE was found in 9.8% of the textile workers. Among 35 control workers 11.4% reacted with a positive skin reaction to the jute or sisal allergen and 2.9% had increased IgE. Chronic respiratory symptoms as well as changes in ventilatory capacity were found in textile workers with positive and negative skin tests. Our data suggest that immunological reactions are not likely to be responsible for the development of respiratory\u27 impairment in textile workers exposed to jute and sisal dust

Immunological reactions in poultry food processing workers

Ispitivan je odnos respiratornih simptoma i imunoloških nalaza u 57 radnica zaposlenih na preradi hrane za perad i u 51 neizložene radnice. Prevalencija svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je značajno viša u izloženih nego u kontrolnih radnica (P<0,01) osim za profesionalnu astmu. Najviša prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma utvrđena je za kronični kašalj (49%), zatim za dispneju (43,9%), rinitis (38,6%), kronični iskašljaj (31,6%) i kronični bronhitis (26,3%). Profesionalna astma utvrđena je u 5,3% izloženih radnica. U izloženih radnica s pozitivnim kožnim prick testom na hranu za perad utvrđena je znatno viša prevalencija svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma nego u onih s negativnim kožnim testovima, premda su razlike bile statistički značajne samo za rinitis (P<0,05). Najčešće pozitivne kožne reakcije zabilježene su na ekstrakt hrane za perad (izložene: 66,7%; kontrolne: 25,5%; P<0,05). Povišena koncentracija imunoglobulina IgE utvrđena je u 19 (33,3%) izloženih i u četiri (7,9%) kontrolne radnice (P<0,01). U tri izložene radnice sa simptomima profesionalne astme utvrđene su povišene vrijednosti IgE. Naši podaci potvrđuju prethodne rezultate upućujući na to da profesionalna izloženost prašini hrane za perad može biti povezana s razvojem kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i imunoloških promjena u izloženih radnica.The relationship between respiratory symptoms and immunological reactions was studied in 57 female workers holding jobs in the poultry food processing industry and in 51 non-exposed female workers. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in exposed than in control workers (P<0.01) except for occupational asthma. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in exposed workers was highest for chronic cough (49.1%), followed by dyspnoea (43.9%), rhinitis (38.6%). chronic phlegm (31.6%) and chronic bronchitis (26.3%). Occupational asthma was found in 5.3% of exposed workers. Exposed workers with positive skin prick test to poultry food demonstrated a higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests, although the difference was statistically significant only for rhinitis (P<0.05). The most frequent positive skin reactions were found for poultry food extract (exposed: 66.7%; control: 25.5%; P<0.05). Increased IgE serum level was found in 19 (33.3%) exposed and in four (7.8%) control workers (P<0.01). Three exposed workers with occupational asthma demonstrated increased IgE serum level. Our data indicate that occupational exposure to poultry food dust may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and immunological changes in exposed workers

Immunological status and ventilatory function in cotton workers

Imunološko ispitivanje provedeno je u 24 tekstilne radnice zaposlene na preradi pamuka i u 30 radnica kontrolne skupine. Kožni prick-testovi izvršeni su s alergenom prašine pamuka i sjemena pamuka. Pozitivni kožni testovi utvrđeni su u 33,3% radnica na preradi pamuka i povišeni IgE u 62,5% radnica na preradi pamuka s pozitivnim kožnim testom. Samo u dvije radnice s pozitivnim kožnim testovima utvrđeni su simptomi bisinozc među kontrolnim radnicama samo je 3,3% imalo pozitivne kožne testove, a nijedna radnica povišeni IgE. Ventilacijske funkcije pluća nisu se razlikovale između radnica s pozitivnim i onih s negativnim kožnim testovima, kao ni između onih s povišenim i onih s normalnim IgE. Djelovanje ekstrakta prašine pamuka na glatku muskulaturu izolirane traheje zamorčeta upućuje na to da prašina pamuka može djelovati direktno iritativno na respiratorni sustav uzrokujući konstrikciju dišnih putova tekstilnih radnica.Immunological testing was carried out in 24 cotton workers and in 30 control workers. Skin prick test was performed with allergens prepared from cotton dust and cotton seed. Skin tests were positive in 33.3% and IgE level was increased in 62.5% of the cotton workers. Only two cotton workers with positive skin tests had symptoms of byssinosis. Among control workers 3.3% had positive skin tests and none had increased IgE serum level. Ventilatory capacity in cotton workers with positive skin tests and those with negative skin tests was comparable. The same was true of the workers with increased and normal IgE levels. The effect of cotton dust extract on isolated tracheal smooth muscle of a guinea pig was an indication of a direct irritative action causing airway obstruction

Respiratory function in confectionery workers

Respiratorni simptomi i ventilacijska funkcija pluća ispitivani su u 259 radnica na preradi slastica i 65 radnica neizložene kontrolne skupine. Većina kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je viša u izloženih nego u radnica kontrolne skupine, osobito u izloženosti brašnu, talku i škrobu te parama kiselina i etilnog alkohola. Utvrđena je visoka prevalencija akutnih simptoma koji se razvijaju tijekom radne smjene, osobito kašalj, dispneja, pečenje i suhoća grla te iritacija očiju. U svim skupinama izloženih radnica utvrđene su statistički značajne akutne redukcije ventilacijskog kapaciteta, naročito za FEF50 (raspon: 4,6¬13,0%) i za FEF25 (raspon: 4,7-22,3%). Izmjerene vrijednosti ventilacijskih testova i prije radne smjene bile su značajno niže od normalnih. Inhalacija dinatrij kromoglikata (DNCC 40 mg) prije radne smjene značajno je smanjila akutne redukcije ventilacijskih testova. Naši podaci upućuju na to da se u osjetljivih radnica u takvim radnim uvjetima mogu razviti akutni i kronični respiratorni simptomi praćeni promjenama ventilacijskog kapaciteta pluća.Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 259 female confectionary workers and in 65 non-exposed controls. Most of the chronic respiratory symptoms appeared more frequently among the exposed workers, particularly if they worked in exposure to flour, talc, staah, acids and alcohol. There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms that developed during work shift. This was true especially of cough, dyspnea, burning and dryness of the throat and eye irritation. The exposed workers exhibited statistically significant acute reductions of ventilatory capacity. Those were particularly pronounced for FEF50 (range: 4.6-13.0%) and FEF25 (range: 4.7-22.3%). The measured preshift values of ventilatory capacity were significantly lower than the predicted normal values. The administration of disodium chromoglycate (DSCG 40 mg) significantly diminished mean across-shilt reductions in all ventilatory capacity tests. Data suggest that sensitive confectionery workers may develop acute and chronic respiratory symptoms accompanied by acute and/or chronic-changes in ventilatory capacity

Immunological changes and ventilatory capacity in animal food workers

U skupini od 35 radnika na preradi stočne hrane ispitivan je odnos respiratornih nalaza i imunološkog statusa. Najveći broj radnika reagirao je pozitivnim kožnim testovima na riblje brašno (82,9%), zatim na karoten (77,l %), kukuruz (65>,7%), djetelinu (62,9%), suncokret (54,3%), mesa pilica (31,4%), soju (28,6%) i kvasac (22,7%). Povišeni ukupni IgE utvrđen je u 40% radnika u svinjogojstvu i u 2,6% radnika kontrolne skupine. Značajno veća prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma utvrđena je u radnika na preradi stočne hrane nego u radnika kontrolne skupine. Međutim, nije utvrđena značajna razlika u prevalenciji kroničnih respiratornih simptoma između radnika s pozitivnim i negativnim kožnim testovima na kućnu prašinu i riblje brašno kao i između onih s povišenim i normalnim IgE (osim za dispneju). Statistički značajne akutne redukcije tijekom radne smjene utvrđene su za sve parametre, osobito za FEF25. Radnici s pozitivnim kožnim testovima na riblje brašno pokazivali su značajno veće redukcije FEF25 nego oni s negativnim kožnim testovima. Vodeni ekstrakt stočne hrane uzrokovao je kontrakciju glatke muskulature izolirane traheje zamorca u in vitro eksperimentima. Naši podaci upućuju na to da osim imunološkog djelovanja stočna hrana može uzrokovati i direktnu iritativnu reakciju na dišne putove eksponiranih radnika.Respiratory symptoms and immunological reactions were examined in 35 animal food workers. The most frequent positive skin prick reactions occurred to fish flour (82.9%), followed by carotene (77.1 %), cornflour (65.7%), four-leaf clover (62.9%), sunflower (54.3%), chicken meat (31.4%), soy (28.6%) and yeast (22.7%). The IgE serum level was increased in 40% of the animal food workers and in 2.6% of the controls. A significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was found in animal food workers than in controls. However, there was no significant difference in prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms between workers with positive and those with negative skin tests to house dust and fish flour or between those with increased and those with normal IgE levels (except for dyspnoea). There were significant acute across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity, particularly for FEF25. The workers with positive skin tests to fish flour demonstrated significantly larger acute FEF25, reductions than those with negative skin tests. An extract of animal food caused constriction of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. It appears that animal food dust in addition to immunological response may produce a direct irritative effect on the airways of exposed workers

Immunological status and respiratory function in swine workers

Prevalencija respiratornih simptoma i ventilacijski kapacitet u odnosu na imunološki status ispitivani su u 32 radnika u svinjogojstvu i u 39 radnika kontrolne skupine. Velik broj radnika u svinjogojstvu reagirao je na alergen svinjske dlake (31%) i na alergen pripremljen od materijala sakupljenog u svinjogojskim farmama (28%), ali i na ostale alergene kao što su stočna hrana (76%) i kukuruzno brašno (37%). Radnici kontrolne skupine reagirali su na iste alergene u sličnoj prevalenciji (17%, 25%, 51%, 25%). Povišen IgE u serumu utvrđen je u tri radnika u svinjogojstvu (9,4%) i u jednog radnika kontrolne skupine (2,6%). Radnici u svinjogojstvu s pozitivnim kožnim reakcijama pokazivali su značajno veće akutne redukcije tijekom radne smjene za FEF50 i FEF25 nego oni s negativnim kožnim testovima (P<0,01). Izmjerene vrijednosti ventilacijskog kapaciteta prije radne smjene u radnika u svinjogojstvu s pozitivnim kožnim testovima bile su značajno niže nego predviđene normalne vrijednosti. Alergen pripremljen od materijala sakupljenog u svinjogojskim farmama uzrokuje kontrakciju glatke muskulature bronha u ispitivanjima in vitro. Naši podaci upućuju na to da neimunološke reakcije mogu djelomično objasniti akutne i/ili kronične promjene u respiratornoj funkciji radnika u svinjogojstvu.The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in relation to immunological status were studied in 32 swine workers and in 39 controls. A large number of swine workers reacted to antigen of swine hair (34%) and to swine confinement antigen (28%) but also to other antigens such as animal food (78%), and corn flour (37%). Control workers showed comparable prevalence in their reaction to the antigens (17%, 25%, 51 %, 25%). Increased IgE serum level was determined in three swine workers (9.4%) and in one control worker (2,6%). Swine workers with positive skin tests demonstrated significantly larger acute reductions in FEF50 and FEF25 than those with negative skin tests (P < 0.01). The ventilatory capacity data measured before shift in swine workers with positive skin tests were significantly lower than the predicted normal values. Swine confinement antigen caused a dose-related contraction of guinea pig smooth muscle in vitro. Our data indicate that non-immunological reactions may be partly responsible for the acute and/or chronic changes in respiratory function

Immunological and respiratory reactions in workers exposed to organic aerosols

Prikazane su vrijednosti kožnih reakcija i imunoglobulina IgE u odnosu na kronične respiratorne simptome i ventilacijski kapacitet radnika izloženih različitim organskim aerosolima i radnika kontrolne skupine. U izloženih radnika utvrđena je viša prevalencija pozitivnih kožnih testova na profesionalne alergene nego u radnika kontrolne skupine, osim za one na preradi soje. U radnika s pozitivnim kožnim testovima na profesionalne alergene utvrđena je veća prevalencija gotovo svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma premda razlike nisu uvijek bile statistički značajne. Radnici s pozitivnim kožnim reakcijama pokazivali su uglavnom značajno veću prevalenciju povišenog IgF nego oni s negativnim kožnim reakcijama. U izloženih radnika utvrđene su relativne srednje akutne redukcije ventilacijskog kapaciteta koje su se kretale za FVC od 1,7 do 13,3%, za FEV1 od 0,4 do 21,9%, za FEF50 od 13 do 16,1% i za FEF25 od 0 od 24,9%. Međutim nije dobivena korelacija između akutnih i kroničnih plućnih promjena s kožnom reaktivnosti ili IgE vrijednostima. Naši rezultati, premda izloženost organskim aerosolima može uzrokovati imunološke reakcije, upućuju na to da takve promjene nisu posljedica alergijske reakcije. Na osnovi pozitivnih kožnih reakcija i koncentracija IgE u serumu ne možemo sa sigurnošću utvrditi osjetljive radnike u kojih postoji vjerojatnost za razvoj respiratornih poremećaja.The relationship of skin reactivity and IgE serum level to the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in workers exposed to different organic aerosols and in control workers is presented. In general, the exposed workers had a higher prevalence of positive skin tests to occupational allergens than the controls, with the exception of soy-bean workers. The workers with positive skin tests to occupational allergens had a higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms although the differences did not always reach statistical significance. Among workers with positive skin reactions the prevalence of increased IgE serum level was significantly higher than among those with negative skin reactions. There were large mean relative acute across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity in all groups of exposed workers, varying for FVC from 1.7 to 13.3%, for FEV1, from 0.4 to 21.9%, for FEF50 from 1.5 to 16.1% and for FEF25 from 0 to 24.9%. However, there was no correlation of acute and chronic lung function changes with skin reactivity or IgE serum level. Our data suggest that although exposure to organic aerosols may cause immunological reactions, it appears that such changes are not caused by allergic mechanisms. On the basis of positive skin reactivity or IgE serum level the workers who are prone to the development of chronic respiratory impairment cannot be predicted with certainty

Immunological reactions and ventilatory capacity in hemp workers

Odnos imunološkog statusa i respiratornih nalaza ispitivan je u 42 radnice profesionalno izložene prašini konoplje i u 49 radnica kontrolne skupine. Najviša prevalencija pozitivnih kožnih prick testova u radnica na preradi konoplje utvrđena je za mješavinu konoplje i lana (64% ), zatim za lan (48% ), konoplju s češljara (41%), konoplju s karda (38%), konoplju s predilica i tkalačkih strojeva (33%) i konoplju s omekšivača (20%). Prevalencija pozitivnih kožnih tekstova u radnica kontrolne skupine bila je znatno niža i varirala je od 21% do 5%. Povišen ukupni IgE utvrđen je u 35,7% radnica na preradi konoplje i u 4,1% radnica kontrolne skupine (P<0,05). U radnica na preradi konoplje s pozitivnim kožnim testovima utvrđena je značajno viša prevalencija kroničnih respirator-nih simptoma nego u onih s negativnim kožnim testovima. Akutne promjene ventilacijske funkcije pluća nisu se razlikovale prema imunološkom statusu. Vodeni ekstrakt prašine konoplje uzrokovao je kontrakciju glatke muskulature traheje u eksperimentu in vitro na nesenzibiliziranoj zamorčadi. Naši rezultati upućuju na to da prašina konoplje osim imunološkim mehanizmom može djelovati i iritativno na respiratorni sustav izloženih radnika.The relationship between immunological status and respiratory function was studied in 42 hemp workers and in 49 control workers. The highest prevalence of positive skin tests was recorded for a mixture of hemp and flax (64%), followed by flax (48%), hemp on a combing machine (41%), hemp on a carding machine (38% ), hemp on spinnin~ and weaving machines (33% ), and hemp on a softening machine (20%). The prevalence of positive skin tests in control workers was smaller and varied from 21 to 5%. Increased lgE was found in 35.7% of the hemp workers and in 5.0% of the controls (P<0.05). Hemp workers with positive skin tests had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests. Acute ventilatory capacity reductions did not differ in respect to the immunological status. An extract of hemp dust caused a constriction of an isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Our data suggest that hemp dust as well as producing an immunological effect may exert an irritant effect on the respiratory system in exposed textile workers

Respiratorni simptomi u radnica na preradi riba na obali Jadrana u Hrvatskoj

This article describes respiratory symptoms and lung function in 98 fish processing female workers employed in a fish processing plant located on the Croatian Adriatic coast and 95 matching controls. The study included chronic and acute respiratory symptoms which developed during the shifts. Lung function measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and maximal expiratory rates at 50 % and the last 25 % (FEF50, FEF25). Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly dominant in fish processing workers compared to controls. The most common chronic symptoms were hoarseness (57.1 %), nasal catarrh (51.0 %), chronic cough (42.9 %), chronic phlegm (34.7 %), and frequent chest cold (35.7 %). Exposed smokers and nonsmokers had a similar prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Acute symptoms over the work shift were high, with headache in lead (smokers: 62.5 %; nonsmokers: 56.1 %). Most of the ventilatory capacity parameters were significantly lower than predicted, FEF25 in particular, indicating obstructive changes predominantly in the smaller airways. These findings suggest that fish processing workers are prone to developing acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as to lung function changes. This calls for medical and technical preventive measures to be introduced in the work environment of the fi sh processing plant.Cilj je ovoga istraživanja bio ispitati respiratorne simptome i plućnu funkciju radnica zaposlenih na preradi riba u industriji na obali Jadranskog mora u Hrvatskoj. U istraživanje je uključeno 98 radnica zaposlenih na preradi riba i 95 žena neizložene kontrolne skupine. Ispitivani su kronični i akutni respiratorni simptomi koji se razvijaju tijekom radne smjene. Mjerena je plućna funkcija registriranjem forsiranoga vitalnog kapaciteta (FVC), forsiranoga ekspiracijskog volumena u prvoj sekundi (FEV1) te maksimalnoga ekspiracijskog protoka pri 50 % i zadnjih 25 % forsiranoga vitalnog kapaciteta (FEF50, FEF25) na krivulji maksimalni ekspiracijski protok-volumen (MEPV). Učestalost većine kroničnih respiracijskih simptoma bila je značajno viša u eksponiranih u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. U eksponiranih radnica utvrđena je i visoka prevalencija akutnih simptoma koji se razvijaju tijekom radne smjene, posebno za promuklost (57,1 %) i katar nosa (51 %), potom slijedi kronični kašalj (42,9 %), kronični iskašljaj (34,7 %), upale sinusa (32 %) i česte prehlade (35,7 %). S obzirom na naviku pušenja pušači i nepušači imali su sličnu prevalenciju kroničnih respiratornih simptoma. Izložene radnice imale su visoku prevalenciju akutnih simptoma tijekom radne smjene i to naročito za glavobolju (pušači 62,5 %; nepušači 56,1 %). Ventilacijska funkcija pluća bila je značajno smanjena u usporedbi s predviđenim normalnim vrijednostima posebice za FEF25 % upućujući na opstruktivne promjene pretežno u manjim dišnim putovima. Naši podaci upućuju na opasnost razvoja kroničnih i akutnih respiracijskih simptoma i promjena plućne funkcije u radnika koji rade u industriji na preradi riba. Medicinske i tehničke preventivne mjere u radnom okolišu treba preporučiti u industriji prerade riba