| Worker exposures to airborne dust, endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan in two New Zealand sawmills. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 10982983 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
BACKGROUND: Sawmill workers have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma and other respiratory symptoms. Wood dust and microorganisms have both been suggested to play a role, but few studies have measured microbial exposure levels in sawmills. METHODS: The preliminary study reported in this paper assessed airborne dust, bacterial endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan levels in 37 samples from two New Zealand sawmills. RESULTS: Nearly one-third of the measured dust levels exceeded 1 mg/m(3) and only one sample exceeded the legal limit of 5 mg/m(3). Endotoxin levels were clearly elevated with 50% of all measured exposures above 50 EU/m(3) (range: 7-588 EU/m(3)). beta(1,3)-glucan levels were comparable with levels measured in other industries where workers are exposed to organic dust. Workers in the planing department had the highest mean exposures to dust, endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan. Dust levels were only weakly correlated with endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan levels. CONCLUSIONS: Endotoxin exposures in sawmill workers are at levels sufficient to potentially contribute to the development of respiratory symptoms. Moreover, measurement of dust exposure is a poor proxy for beta(1,3)-glucan and endotoxin exposure in sawmill workers. |
| | |
Authors:
|
J Douwes; D McLean; E van der Maarl; D Heederik; N Pearce |
Related Documents
:
|
7003793 - The fetal alcohol syndrome in mice: maternal variables. 19027093 - Alcohol use before and during pregnancy in western washington, 1989-2004: implications ... 7691303 - Methotrexate treatment for cervical pregnancy: experience of four cases. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: American journal of industrial medicine Volume: 38 ISSN: 0271-3586 ISO Abbreviation: Am. J. Ind. Med. Publication Date: 2000 Oct |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2000-10-18 Completed Date: 2000-10-18 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 8101110 Medline TA: Am J Ind Med Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 426-30 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
|
Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
Affiliation:
|
Wellington Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand. jeroen@wnmeds.ac.nz |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Dust* Endotoxins* Glucans* Humans New Zealand Occupational Exposure* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
|
0/Dust; 0/Endotoxins; 0/Glucans |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Case-cohort analysis of brain cancer and leukemia in electric utility workers using a refined magnet...
Next Document: Respiratory findings in chemical workers exposed to low concentrations of organic and inorganic air ...