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Schwab AD, Wyatt TA, Nelson AJ, Gleason A, Gaurav R, Romberger DJ, Poole JA. Lung-delivered IL-10 therapy elicits beneficial effects via immune modulation in organic dust exposure-induced lung inflammation. J Immunotoxicol 2024; 21:2332172. [PMID: 38563602 PMCID: PMC11137733 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2024.2332172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Efficacious therapeutic options capable of resolving inflammatory lung disease associated with environmental and occupational exposures are lacking. This study sought to determine the preclinical therapeutic potential of lung-delivered recombinant interleukin (IL)-10 therapy following acute organic dust exposure in mice. Here, C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally instilled with swine confinement organic dust extract (ODE) (12.5%, 25%, 50% concentrations) with IL-10 (1 μg) treatment or vehicle control intratracheally-administered three times: 5 hr post-exposure and then daily for 2 days. The results showed that IL-10 treatment reduced ODE (25%)-induced weight loss by 66% and 46% at Day 1 and Day 2 post-exposure, respectively. IL-10 treatment reduced ODE (25%, 50%)-induced lung levels of TNFα (-76%, -83% [reduction], respectively), neutrophil chemoattractant CXCL1 (-51%, -60%), and lavage fluid IL-6 (-84%, -89%). IL-10 treatment reduced ODE (25%, 50%)-induced lung neutrophils (-49%, -70%) and recruited CD11cintCD11b+ monocyte-macrophages (-49%, -70%). IL-10 therapy reduced ODE-associated expression of antigen presentation (MHC Class II, CD80, CD86) and inflammatory (Ly6C) markers and increased anti-inflammatory CD206 expression on CD11cintCD11b+ cells. ODE (12.5%, 25%)-induced lung pathology was also reduced with IL-10 therapy. In conclusion, the studies here showed that short-term, lung-delivered IL-10 treatment induced a beneficial response in reducing inflammatory consequences (that were also associated with striking reduction in recruited monocyte-macrophages) following acute complex organic dust exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D. Schwab
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Todd A. Wyatt
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Amy J. Nelson
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Angela Gleason
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Rohit Gaurav
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Debra J. Romberger
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Jill A. Poole
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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Iversen IB, Vestergaard JM, Basinas I, Ohlander J, Peters S, Bendstrup E, Bonde JPE, Schlünssen V, Rasmussen F, Stokholm ZA, Andersen MB, Kromhout H, Kolstad HA. Risk of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other interstitial lung diseases following organic dust exposure. Thorax 2024; 79:853-860. [PMID: 38777581 PMCID: PMC11347241 DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2023-221275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organic dust is associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and associations with other types of interstitial lung disease (ILD) have been suggested. We examined the association between occupational organic dust exposure and hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs in a cohort study. METHODS The study population included all residents of Denmark born in 1956 or later with at least 1 year of gainful employment since 1976. Incident cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs were identified in the Danish National Patient Register 1994-2015. Job exposure matrices were used to assign individual annual levels of exposure to organic dust, endotoxin and wood dust from 1976 to 2015. We analysed exposure-response relations by different exposure metrics using a discrete-time hazard model. RESULTS For organic dust, we observed increasing risk with increasing cumulative exposure with incidence rate ratios (IRR) per 10 unit-years of 1.19 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.27) for hypersensitivity pneumonitis and 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) for other ILDs. We found increasing risk with increasing cumulative endotoxin exposure for hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs with IRRs per 5000 endotoxin units/m3-years of 1.55 (95% CI 1.38 to 1.73) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.19), respectively. For both exposures, risk also increased with increasing duration of exposure and recent exposure. No increased risks were observed for wood dust exposure. CONCLUSION Exposure-response relations were observed between organic dust and endotoxin exposure and hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs, with lower risk estimates for the latter. The findings indicate that organic dust should be considered a possible cause of any ILD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER j.no.: 1-16-02-196-17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Brosbøl Iversen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jesper Medom Vestergaard
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ioannis Basinas
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Johan Ohlander
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Peters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Bendstrup
- Center for Rare Lung Diseases, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Finn Rasmussen
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zara Ann Stokholm
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Brun Andersen
- Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Albert Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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St-Germain MW, Létourneau V, Cruaud P, Lemaille C, Robitaille K, Denis É, Boulianne M, Duchaine C. Longitudinal survey of total airborne bacterial and archaeal concentrations and bacterial diversity in enriched colony housing and aviaries for laying hens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104119. [PMID: 39154606 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional cages for laying hens will be banned in Canada as of 2036, and the egg industry is transitioning toward enriched colony housing and aviaries. While higher concentrations of particulate matter have been previously reported in aviaries and other cage-free housing systems, concentrations of total bacteria and archaea suspended in the air are still uncharacterized in Canadian enriched colonies and aviaries. The aim of the present study was to conduct a longitudinal survey of airborne total bacteria and of airborne total archaea in twelve enriched colonies and twelve aviaries in Eastern Canada during a whole laying period. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons was used to reveal and compare bacterial diversity at the start and the end of the production cycle, and during the cold and the warm seasons. Total bacterial and archaeal concentrations were significantly higher in aviaries (p < 0.05) versus enriched colonies, and in the cold season for both housing types (p < 0.05). While flock age did not have a significant effect on total bacterial and archaeal concentrations, it did on bacterial diversity in both enriched colony houses and aviaries (p < 0.05). The 2 housing systems were significantly different in their diversity of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali-Wen St-Germain
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Candice Lemaille
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Kim Robitaille
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Éloïse Denis
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Martine Boulianne
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Caroline Duchaine
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
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Iversen IB, Vestergaard JM, Ohlander J, Peters S, Bendstrup E, Bonde JPE, Schlünssen V, Bønløkke JH, Rasmussen F, Stokholm ZA, Andersen MB, Kromhout H, Kolstad HA. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and incident idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and pulmonary sarcoidosis: a national prospective follow-up study. Occup Environ Med 2024; 81:279-286. [PMID: 38902031 PMCID: PMC11287551 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2023-108964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respirable crystalline silica is a well-known cause of silicosis but may also be associated with other types of interstitial lung disease. We examined the associations between occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and the risk of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, pulmonary sarcoidosis and silicosis. METHODS The total Danish working population was followed 1977-2015. Annual individual exposure to respirable crystalline silica was estimated using a quantitative job exposure matrix. Cases were identified in the Danish National Patient Register. We conducted adjusted analyses of exposure-response relations between cumulative silica exposure and other exposure metrics and idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, pulmonary sarcoidosis and silicosis. RESULTS Mean cumulative exposure was 125 µg/m3-years among exposed workers. We observed increasing incidence rate ratios with increasing cumulative silica exposure for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, pulmonary sarcoidosis and silicosis. For idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and pulmonary sarcoidosis, trends per 50 µg/m3-years were 1.03 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.03) and 1.06 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.07), respectively. For silicosis, we observed the well-known exposure-response relation with a trend per 50 µg/m3-years of 1.20 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.23). CONCLUSION This study suggests that silica inhalation may be related to pulmonary sarcoidosis and idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, though these findings may to some extent be explained by diagnostic misclassification. The observed exposure-response relations for silicosis at lower cumulative exposure levels than previously reported need to be corroborated in analyses that address the limitations of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Brosbøl Iversen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jesper Medom Vestergaard
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Johan Ohlander
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Peters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Bendstrup
- Center for Rare Lung Diseases, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jakob Hjort Bønløkke
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Finn Rasmussen
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zara Ann Stokholm
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Brun Andersen
- Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Albert Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Schwab AD, Wyatt TA, Moravec G, Thiele GM, Nelson AJ, Gleason A, Schanze O, Duryee MJ, Romberger DJ, Mikuls TR, Poole JA. Targeting transitioning lung monocytes/macrophages as treatment strategies in lung disease related to environmental exposures. Respir Res 2024; 25:157. [PMID: 38594676 PMCID: PMC11003126 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02804-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental/occupational exposures cause significant lung diseases. Agricultural organic dust extracts (ODE) and bacterial component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce recruited, transitioning murine lung monocytes/macrophages, yet their cellular role remains unclear. METHODS CCR2 RFP+ mice were intratracheally instilled with high concentration ODE (25%), LPS (10 μg), or gram-positive peptidoglycan (PGN, 100 μg) for monocyte/macrophage cell-trafficking studies. CCR2 knockout (KO) mice and administration of intravenous clodronate liposomes strategies were employed to reduce circulating monocytes available for lung recruitment following LPS exposure. Lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Pro-inflammatory and/or pro-fibrotic cytokines, chemokines, and lung extracellular matrix mediators were quantitated by ELISA. Infiltrating lung cells including monocyte/macrophage subpopulations, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were characterized by flow cytometry. Lung histopathology, collagen content, vimentin, and post-translational protein citrullination and malondialdehyde acetaldehyde (MAA) modification were quantitated. Parametric statistical tests (one-way ANOVA, Tukey'smultiple comparison) and nonparametric statistical (Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn's multiple comparison) tests were used following Shapiro-Wilk testing for normality. RESULTS Intratracheal instillation of ODE, LPS, or PGN robustly induced the recruitment of inflammatory CCR2+ CD11cintCD11bhi monocytes/macrophages and both CCR2+ and CCR2- CD11c-CD11bhi monocytes at 48 h. There were also increases in CCR2+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Despite reductions in LPS-induced lung infiltrating CD11cintCD11bhi cells (54% reduction), CCR2 knockout (KO) mice were not protected against LPS-induced inflammatory and pro-fibrotic consequences. Instead, compensatory increases in lung neutrophils and CCL2 and CCL7 release occurred. In contrast, the depletion of circulating monocytes through the administration of intravenous clodronate (vs. vehicle) liposomes 24 h prior to LPS exposure reduced LPS-induced infiltrating CD11cintCD11bhi monocyte-macrophage subpopulation by 59% without compensatory changes in other cell populations. Clodronate liposome pre-treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced IL-6 (66% reduction), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 (36%), MMP-8 (57%), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (61%), fibronectin (38%), collagen content (22%), and vimentin (40%). LPS-induced lung protein citrullination and MAA modification, post-translational modifications implicated in lung disease, were reduced (39% and 48%) with clodronate vs. vehicle liposome. CONCLUSION Highly concentrated environmental/occupational exposures induced the recruitment of CCR2+ and CCR2- transitioning monocyte-macrophage and monocyte subpopulations and targeting peripheral monocytes may reduce the adverse lung consequences resulting from exposures to LPS-enriched inhalants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D Schwab
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Todd A Wyatt
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Grace Moravec
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey M Thiele
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE, USA
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Amy J Nelson
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Angela Gleason
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Oliver Schanze
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michael J Duryee
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE, USA
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Debra J Romberger
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ted R Mikuls
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Research Service, Omaha, NE, USA
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jill A Poole
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Descatha A, Hamzaoui H, Takala J, Oppliger A. A Systematized Overview of Published Reviews on Biological Hazards, Occupational Health, and Safety. Saf Health Work 2023; 14:347-357. [PMID: 38187198 PMCID: PMC10770102 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic turned biological hazards in the working environment into a global concern. This systematized review of published reviews aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the specific jobs and categories of workers exposed to biological hazards with the related prevention. Methods We extracted reviews published in English and French in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Two authors, working independently, subsequently screened the potentially relevant titles and abstracts recovered (step 1) and then examined relevant full texts (step 2). Disagreements were resolved by consensus. We built tables summarizing populations of exposed workers, types of hazards, types of outcomes (types of health issues, means of prevention), and routes of transmission. Results Of 1426 studies initially identified, 79 studies by authors from every continent were selected, mostly published after 2010 (n = 63, 79.7%). About half of the reviews dealt with infectious hazards alone (n = 38, 48.1%). The industrial sectors identified involved healthcare alone (n = 16), laboratories (n = 10), agriculture (including the animal, vegetable, and grain sectors, n = 32), waste (n = 10), in addition of 11 studies without specific sectors. The results also highlighted a range of hazards (infectious and non-infectious agents, endotoxins, bioaerosols, organic dust, and emerging agents). Conclusion This systematized overview allowed to list the populations of workers exposed to biological hazards and underlined how prevention measures in the healthcare and laboratory sectors were usually well defined and controlled, although this was not the case in the agriculture and waste sectors. Further studies are necessary to quantify these risks and implement prevention measures that can be applied in every country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Descatha
- Univ Angers, CHU Angers, Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) – UMR_S 1085, IRSET-ESTER, SFR ICAT, CAPTV CDC, Angers, France
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra/Northwell, USA
| | - Halim Hamzaoui
- Labour Administration, Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch- International Labour Organization, HQ, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jukka Takala
- Faculty of Social Sciences/Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anne Oppliger
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Unisanté, University of Lausanne, Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
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Agarwal V, Yue Y, Zhang X, Feng X, Tao Y, Wang J. Spatial and temporal distribution of endotoxins, antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements in the air of a dairy farm in Germany. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122404. [PMID: 37625772 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious issue that is continuously growing and spreading, leading to a dwindling number of effective treatments for infections that were easily treatable with antibiotics in the past. Animal farms are a major hotspot for AMR, where antimicrobials are often overused, misused, and abused, in addition to overcrowding of animals. In this study, we investigated the risk of AMR transmission from a farm to nearby residential areas by examining the overall occurrence of endotoxins, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the air of a cattle farm. We assessed various factors, including the season and year, day and nighttime, and different locations within the farm building and its vicinity. The most abundant ARGs detected were tetW, aadA1, and sul2, genes that encode for resistances towards antibiotics commonly used in veterinary medicine. While there was a clear concentration gradient for endotoxin from the middle of the farm building to the outside areas, the abundance of ARGs and MGEs was relatively uniform among all locations within the farm and its vicinity. This suggests that endotoxins preferentially accumulated in the coarse particle fraction, which deposited quickly, as opposed to the ARGs and MGEs, which might concentrate in the fine particle fraction and remain longer in the aerosol phase. The occurrence of the same genes found in the air samples and in the manure indicated that ARGs and MGEs in the air mostly originated from the cows, continuously being released from the manure to the air. Although our atmospheric dispersion model indicated a relatively low risk for nearby residential areas, farm workers might be at greater risk of getting infected with resistant bacteria and experiencing overall respiratory tract issues due to continuous exposure to elevated concentrations of endotoxins, ARGs and MGEs in the air of the farm.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Agarwal
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Y Yue
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - X Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - X Feng
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Y Tao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - J Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland.
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Gibbs JL, Sheridan C, Sullivan D, Rautiainen R, Nonnenmann MW, Wyatt TA. Self-reported respiratory health symptoms and respiratory protection behaviors of young adult hog producers in the United States. Am J Ind Med 2023; 66:794-804. [PMID: 37443418 PMCID: PMC11265510 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND METHODS In this study, we evaluated self-reported respiratory symptoms during agricultural work, respiratory protection use and experience, and perceived value of receiving respirators using Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety Program™ pre- and post-surveys from 703 to 212 young adult hog producers in the United States. To our knowledge, this is one of the most extensive survey data sets on self-reported respiratory symptoms and respiratory protection behaviors of collegiate-aged young adults working in US livestock production. RESULTS About one-third (37%) of young adult hog producers stated that they have experienced cough, shortness of breath, fever, and chills after working in dusty areas on the farm. Most (76.2%) stated that they were already "always" or "sometimes" wearing filtering facepiece (N95-style) respirators, even before participating in an outreach program. About one-third (30%) reported experience wearing a cartridge-style respirator but only 5% reported having been fit-tested for a respirator. Young adult male producers were significantly more likely to report use of both respirator types when compared to females, both before and after the program. Male producers were also more likely than females to engage in high-risk farm tasks where respirators are recommended, such as cleaning out grain bins and mixing or grinding feed. Following an educational program, males and females reported using the respirators that they received at similar rates, and 20% of overall participants purchased additional respiratory protection. DISCUSSION The study found that young adult hog producers in postsecondary education are already wearing respirators with some frequency and at rates higher than previously reported by agricultural workers. More research is needed to make effective task-based respirator-use recommendations and investigate some significant gender differences among young adult hog producers observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Risto Rautiainen
- Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Matthew W. Nonnenmann
- Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Todd A Wyatt
- Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Friesen MC, Xie S, Sauvé JF, Viet SM, Josse PR, Locke SJ, Hung F, Andreotti G, Thorne PS, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE. An algorithm for quantitatively estimating occupational endotoxin exposure in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study: I. Development of task-specific exposure levels from published data. Am J Ind Med 2023; 66:561-572. [PMID: 37087684 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Farmers conduct numerous tasks with potential for endotoxin exposure. As a first step to characterize endotoxin exposure for farmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) Study, we used published data to estimate task-specific endotoxin concentrations. METHODS We extracted published data on task-specific, personal, inhalable endotoxin concentrations for agricultural tasks queried in the study questionnaire. The data, usually abstracted as summary measures, were evaluated using meta-regression models that weighted each geometric mean (GM, natural-log transformed) by the inverse of its within-study variance to obtain task-specific predicted GMs. RESULTS We extracted 90 endotoxin summary statistics from 26 studies for 9 animal-related tasks, 30 summary statistics from 6 studies for 3 crop-related tasks, and 10 summary statistics from 5 studies for 4 stored grain-related tasks. Work in poultry and swine confinement facilities, grinding feed, veterinarian services, and cleaning grain bins had predicted GMs > 1000 EU/m3 . In contrast, harvesting or hauling grain and other crop-related tasks had predicted GMs below 100 EU/m3 . SIGNIFICANCE These task-specific endotoxin GMs demonstrated exposure variability across common agricultural tasks. These estimates will be used in conjunction with questionnaire responses on task duration to quantitatively estimate endotoxin exposure for study participants, described in a companion paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C Friesen
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Shuai Xie
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jean-François Sauvé
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France (work was done while at Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Pabitra R Josse
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah J Locke
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Felicia Hung
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter S Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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10
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Carmona J, deMarcken M, Trinh P, Frisbie L, Ramirez V, Palmandez P, Vedal S, Sack C, Rabinowitz P. A Cross Sectional Study of Respiratory and Allergy Status in Dairy Workers. J Agromedicine 2023; 28:545-552. [PMID: 36704933 PMCID: PMC10421462 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2023.2171522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Workers on dairy farms face exposures to organic dusts and endotoxin. At the same time, a number of studies of farmers have reported a lower prevalence of asthma in farmworkers compared to persons without farm contact. The "hygiene hypothesis" suggests that early life exposures on farms could be protective against allergic disease and asthma. Such protective relationships are less well studied in adult farm workers. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of respiratory function and allergy status was performed in a sample of dairy farm workers (n = 42) and community controls (n = 40). Measures of respiratory status (spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide FeNO, self-reported symptoms) and levels of total and bovine-specific IgE were compared between the groups. RESULTS Prevalence of self-reported asthma and most respiratory symptoms was similar in the two groups, with the exception of increased report of dyspnea among dairy workers. In the dairy workers, level of lung function was not reduced and FeNO was not increased. In unadjusted and adjusted models, dairy work was not associated with reduced lung function or increased airway inflammation. Mean IgE levels did not differ significantly between workers and controls, but elevated bovine-specific IgE was detected only among dairy workers, with an apparent association between elevated bovine IgE and increased FeNO. CONCLUSION While dairy workers did not demonstrate increased asthma prevalence compared to controls, sensitization to bovine antigen in several workers appeared to be associated with airway inflammation. Occupational health programs for dairy workers should consider the risk of animal allergy as part of respiratory health protection efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Carmona
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Marine deMarcken
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pauline Trinh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lauren Frisbie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Vickie Ramirez
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pablo Palmandez
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sverre Vedal
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Coralynn Sack
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Peter Rabinowitz
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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11
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Friesen MC, Beane Freeman LE, Locke SJ, Josse PR, Xie S, Viet SM, Sauvé JF, Andreotti G, Thorne PS, Hofmann JN. An algorithm for quantitatively estimating occupational endotoxin exposure in the biomarkers of exposure and effect in agriculture study: II. Application to the study population. Am J Ind Med 2023; 66:573-586. [PMID: 37087683 PMCID: PMC10265745 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We developed an algorithm to quantitatively estimate endotoxin exposure for farmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) Study. METHODS The algorithm combined task intensity estimates derived from published data with questionnaire responses on activity duration to estimate task-specific cumulative endotoxin exposures for 13 tasks during four time windows, ranging from "past 12 months" to "yesterday/today." We applied the algorithm to 1681 participants in Iowa and North Carolina. We examined correlations in endotoxin metrics within- and between-task. We also compared these metrics to prior day full-shift inhalable endotoxin concentrations from 32 farmers. RESULTS The highest median task-specific cumulative exposures were observed for swine confinement, poultry confinement, and grind feed. Inter-quartile ranges showed substantial between-subject variability for most tasks. Time window-specific metrics of the same task were moderately-highly correlated. Between-task correlation was variable, with moderately-high correlations observed for similar tasks (e.g., between animal-related tasks). Prior day endotoxin concentration increased with the total metric and with task metrics for swine confinement, clean other animal facilities, and clean grain bins. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides insight into the variability and sources of endotoxin exposure among farmers in the BEEA study and summarizes exposure estimates for future investigations in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C. Friesen
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laura E. Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah J. Locke
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pabitra R. Josse
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shuai Xie
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Jean-François Sauvé
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France (work was done while at Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter S. Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jonathan N. Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Schwab AD, Poole JA. Mechanistic and Therapeutic Approaches to Occupational Exposure-Associated Allergic and Non-Allergic Asthmatic Disease. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:313-324. [PMID: 37154874 PMCID: PMC10896074 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01079-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Occupational lung disease, including asthma, is a significant cause of disability worldwide. The dose, exposure frequency, and nature of the causal agent influence the inflammatory pathomechanisms that inform asthma disease phenotype and progression. While surveillance, systems engineering, and exposure mitigation strategies are essential preventative considerations, no targeted medical therapies are currently available to ameliorate lung injury post-exposure and prevent chronic airway disease development. RECENT FINDINGS This article reviews contemporary understanding of allergic and non-allergic occupational asthma mechanisms. In addition, we discuss the available therapeutic options, patient-specific susceptibility and prevention measures, and recent scientific advances in post-exposure treatment conception. The course of occupational lung disease that follows exposure is informed by individual predisposition, immunobiologic response, agent identity, overall environmental risk, and preventative workplace practices. When protective strategies fail, knowledge of underlying disease mechanisms is necessary to inform targeted therapy development to lessen occupational asthma disease severity and occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D Schwab
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Jill A Poole
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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13
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O' Brien C, Kingston L, Plant BJ, Coffey A. Lung Health in Farming: A Scoping Review. J Agromedicine 2023; 28:335-345. [PMID: 36773027 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2023.2178573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lung disease is now recognized as an associated occupational hazard among farming and agricultural communities, however limited research surrounds lung health knowledge within our farming population. It is clear from this limited lack of knowledge that farming practices, perceptions and ideas relating to lung health are yet to be uncovered. This scoping review was conducted to identify what is known about lung health within farming and agricultural communities globally and to map the available evidence relating to lung health and lung health decline within this population. The objectives of this review were (1) focus on available lung health research from a global perspective specific to farming and agriculture relating to occupational lung exposures and (2) consolidate current knowledge, clearly identifying gaps within the literature. METHODS This systematic scoping review of the literature is guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology framework. There were 22 studies eligible for inclusion within the scoping review, providing an up-to-date review of research conducted on lung health and lung disease in farming occupations. RESULTS Results were grouped into three categories emerging from included studies: (1) focused on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms/disease within farming and agricultural occupations, (2) measurements of dust and particulate matter and correlating these with respiratory conditions, (3) common respiratory conditions linked to a decline in lung health among farming and agricultural occupations. Results identified no study focused on or referred to lung health, lung health knowledge or lung health awareness as an outcome, with all studies focusing on respiratory symptoms, development of lung disease and the common occupational hazards this population are exposed to. CONCLUSION This scoping review demonstrates the lack of literature to specifically map available evidence relating to lung health and farming occupations. Many respiratory symptoms and conditions can arise directly and indirectly from agricultural environments, however many of these cases could be prevented by lung health knowledge within the farming population. The results of this scoping review will be used to inform knowledge, awareness, education, health promotion and future research within this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara O' Brien
- Department of Nursing and Health Care Sciences, Munster Technological University, Kerry, Ireland.,Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Liz Kingston
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Barry J Plant
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alice Coffey
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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14
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Kiss P, de Rooij MMT, Koppelman GH, Boer J, Vonk JM, Vermeulen R, Hogerwerf L, Sterk HAM, Huss A, Smit LAM, Gehring U. Residential exposure to livestock farms and lung function in adolescence - The PIAMA birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115134. [PMID: 36563981 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing interest in the impact of air pollution from livestock farming on respiratory health. Studies in adults suggest adverse effects of livestock farm emissions on lung function, but so far, studies involving children and adolescents are lacking. OBJECTIVES To study the association of residential proximity to livestock farms and modelled particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) from livestock farms with lung function in adolescence. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study among 715 participants of the Dutch prospective PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort study. Relationships of different indicators of residential livestock farming exposure (distance to farms, distance-weighted number of farms, cattle, pigs, poultry, horses and goats within 3 km; modelled atmospheric PM10 concentrations from livestock farms) with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at age 16 were assessed by linear regression taking into account potential confounders. Associations were expressed per interquartile range increase in exposure. RESULTS Higher exposure to livestock farming was consistently associated with a lower FEV1, but not with FVC among participants living in less urbanized municipalities (<1500 addresses/km2, N = 402). Shorter distances of homes to livestock farms were associated with a 1.4% (0.2%; 2.7%) lower FEV1. Larger numbers of farms within 3 km and higher concentrations of PM10 from livestock farming were associated with a 1.8% (0.8%, 2.9%) and 0.9% (0.4%,1.5%) lower FEV1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher exposure to livestock farming is associated with a lower FEV1 in adolescents. Replication and more research on the etiologic agents involved in these associations and the underlying mechanisms is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Kiss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Myrna M T de Rooij
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Boer
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lenny Hogerwerf
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hendrika A M Sterk
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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15
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León B. Understanding the development of Th2 cell-driven allergic airway disease in early life. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2023; 3:1080153. [PMID: 36704753 PMCID: PMC9872036 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.1080153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy, are caused by abnormal responses to relatively harmless foreign proteins called allergens found in pollen, fungal spores, house dust mites (HDM), animal dander, or certain foods. In particular, the activation of allergen-specific helper T cells towards a type 2 (Th2) phenotype during the first encounters with the allergen, also known as the sensitization phase, is the leading cause of the subsequent development of allergic disease. Infants and children are especially prone to developing Th2 cell responses after initial contact with allergens. But in addition, the rates of allergic sensitization and the development of allergic diseases among children are increasing in the industrialized world and have been associated with living in urban settings. Particularly for respiratory allergies, greater susceptibility to developing allergic Th2 cell responses has been shown in children living in urban environments containing low levels of microbial contaminants, principally bacterial endotoxins [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], in the causative aeroallergens. This review highlights the current understanding of the factors that balance Th2 cell immunity to environmental allergens, with a particular focus on the determinants that program conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) toward or away from a Th2 stimulatory function. In this context, it discusses transcription factor-guided functional specialization of type-2 cDCs (cDC2s) and how the integration of signals derived from the environment drives this process. In addition, it analyzes observational and mechanistic studies supporting an essential role for innate sensing of microbial-derived products contained in aeroallergens in modulating allergic Th2 cell immune responses. Finally, this review examines whether hyporesponsiveness to microbial stimulation, particularly to LPS, is a risk factor for the induction of Th2 cell responses and allergic sensitization during infancy and early childhood and the potential factors that may affect early-age response to LPS and other environmental microbial components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz León
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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16
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Plombon S, Henneberger PK, Humann MJ, Liang X, Doney BC, Kelly KM, Cox-Ganser JM. The association of chronic bronchitis and airflow obstruction with lifetime and current farm activities in a sample of rural adults in Iowa. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1741-1754. [PMID: 35482110 PMCID: PMC10424266 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01866-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Farmers have an increased risk for chronic bronchitis and airflow obstruction. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of these health outcomes with farm activities. METHODS We evaluated the Keokuk County Rural Health Study (KCRHS) enrollment data for farm activities and the two health outcomes chronic bronchitis based on self-reported symptoms and airflow obstruction based on spirometry. We used logistic regression to model the health outcomes, yielding an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for farm activities while adjusting for potential confounders and other risk factors. RESULTS Of the 1234 farmers, 104 (8.4%) had chronic bronchitis, 75 (6.1%) fulfilled the criteria for airflow obstruction, and the two outcomes overlapped by 18 participants. Chronic bronchitis without airflow obstruction (n = 86) had a statistically significant association with crop storage insecticides (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.6, 6.1) and a low number of years (≤ 3) worked with turkeys (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2, 9.4). The latter result should be interpreted with caution because it is based on a small number of cases (n = 5). Airflow obstruction with or without chronic bronchitis (n = 75) was significantly associated with ever working in a hog or chicken confinement setting (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0, 4.5). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that work with crop storage insecticides or turkeys may increase the risk for chronic bronchitis and work in hog or chicken confinement may increase the risk for airflow obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savanna Plombon
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS H2900, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA
| | - Paul K Henneberger
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS H2900, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA.
| | - Michael J Humann
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS H2900, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA
| | - Xiaoming Liang
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS H2900, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA
| | - Brent C Doney
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS H2900, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA
| | - Kevin M Kelly
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jean M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS H2900, 1000 Frederick Lane, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA
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17
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Luiken RE, Heederik DJ, Scherpenisse P, Van Gompel L, van Heijnsbergen E, Greve GD, Jongerius-Gortemaker BG, Tersteeg-Zijderveld MH, Fischer J, Juraschek K, Skarżyńska M, Zając M, Wasyl D, Wagenaar JA, Smit LA, Wouters IM, Mevius DJ, Schmitt H. Determinants for antimicrobial resistance genes in farm dust on 333 poultry and pig farms in nine European countries. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 208:112715. [PMID: 35033551 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Livestock feces with antimicrobial resistant bacteria reaches the farm floor, manure pit, farm land and wider environment by run off and aerosolization. Little research has been done on the role of dust in the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in farms. Concentrations and potential determinants of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in farm dust are at present not known. Therefore in this study absolute ARG levels, representing the levels people and animals might be exposed to, and relative abundances of ARGs, representing the levels in the bacterial population, were quantified in airborne farm dust using qPCR. Four ARGs were determined in 947 freshly settled farm dust samples, captured with electrostatic dustfall collectors (EDCs), from 174 poultry (broiler) and 159 pig farms across nine European countries. By using linear mixed modeling, associations with fecal ARG levels, antimicrobial use (AMU) and farm and animal related parameters were determined. Results show similar relative abundances in farm dust as in feces and a significant positive association (ranging between 0.21 and 0.82) between the two reservoirs. AMU in pigs was positively associated with ARG abundances in dust from the same stable. Higher biosecurity standards were associated with lower relative ARG abundances in poultry and higher relative ARG abundances in pigs. Lower absolute ARG levels in dust were driven by, among others, summer season and certain bedding materials for poultry, and lower animal density and summer season for pigs. This study indicates different pathways that contribute to shaping the dust resistome in livestock farms, related to dust generation, or affecting the bacterial microbiome. Farm dust is a large reservoir of ARGs from which transmission to bacteria in other reservoirs can possibly occur. The identified determinants of ARG abundances in farm dust can guide future research and potentially farm management policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roosmarijn Ec Luiken
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Dick Jj Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Scherpenisse
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Liese Van Gompel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eri van Heijnsbergen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerdit D Greve
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jennie Fischer
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Juraschek
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Magdalena Skarżyńska
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet), Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zając
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet), Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Dariusz Wasyl
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet), Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Department Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221RA, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Lidwien Am Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Inge M Wouters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dik J Mevius
- Department Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221RA, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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18
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Trained immunity of alveolar macrophages requires metabolic rewiring and type 1 interferon signaling. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:896-907. [PMID: 35856089 PMCID: PMC9385480 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00528-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental microbial triggers shape the development and functionality of the immune system. Alveolar macrophages (AMs), tissue-resident macrophages of the lungs, are in constant and direct contact with inhaled particles and microbes. Such exposures likely impact AM reactivity to subsequent challenges by immunological imprinting mechanisms referred to as trained immunity. Here, we investigated whether a ubiquitous microbial compound has the potential to induce AM training in vivo. We discovered that intranasal exposure to ambient amounts of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced a pronounced AM memory response, characterized by enhanced reactivity upon pneumococcal challenge. Exploring the mechanistic basis of AM training, we identified a critical role of type 1 interferon signaling and found that inhibition of fatty acid oxidation and glutaminolysis significantly attenuated the training effect. Notably, adoptive transfer of trained AMs resulted in increased bacterial loads and tissue damage upon subsequent pneumococcal infection. In contrast, intranasal pre-exposure to LPS promoted bacterial clearance, highlighting the complexity of stimulus-induced immune responses, which likely involve multiple cell types and may depend on the local immunological and metabolic environment. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the profound impact of ambient microbial exposure on pulmonary immune memory and reveal tissue-specific features of trained immunity.
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Lad N, Murphy A, Parenti C, Nelson C, Williams N, Sharpe G, McTernan P. Asthma and obesity: endotoxin another insult to add to injury? Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:2729-2748. [PMID: 34918742 PMCID: PMC8689194 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Low-grade inflammation is often an underlying cause of several chronic diseases such as asthma, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Defining the mediators of such chronic low-grade inflammation often appears dependent on which disease is being investigated. However, downstream systemic inflammatory cytokine responses in these diseases often overlap, noting there is no doubt more than one factor at play to heighten the inflammatory response. Furthermore, it is increasingly believed that diet and an altered gut microbiota may play an important role in the pathology of such diverse diseases. More specifically, the inflammatory mediator endotoxin, which is a complex lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the outer membrane cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and is abundant within the gut microbiota, and may play a direct role alongside inhaled allergens in eliciting an inflammatory response in asthma. Endotoxin has immunogenic effects and is sufficiently microscopic to traverse the gut mucosa and enter the systemic circulation to act as a mediator of chronic low-grade inflammation in disease. Whilst the role of endotoxin has been considered in conditions of obesity, cardiovascular disease and T2DM, endotoxin as an inflammatory trigger in asthma is less well understood. This review has sought to examine the current evidence for the role of endotoxin in asthma, and whether the gut microbiota could be a dietary target to improve disease management. This may expand our understanding of endotoxin as a mediator of further low-grade inflammatory diseases, and how endotoxin may represent yet another insult to add to injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Lad
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Alice M. Murphy
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Cristina Parenti
- SHAPE Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Carl P. Nelson
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Neil C. Williams
- SHAPE Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Graham R. Sharpe
- SHAPE Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Philip G. McTernan
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, U.K
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20
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Comparison of Overall Immunity Levels among Workers at Grape Orchard, Rose Greenhouse, and Open-Field Onion Farm. Saf Health Work 2021; 13:248-254. [PMID: 35664906 PMCID: PMC9142355 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods Results Conclusion
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21
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Farfalla A, Achutan C. Exposure Assessment at a Pullet Barn - A Case Study. J Agromedicine 2021; 27:339-345. [PMID: 34511041 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2021.1979154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Poultry production is an integral part of agriculture and of the U.S. economy, accounting for millions of eggs and chicken products consumed annually. Most ubiquitous to the poultry industry from farm production to research are broiler and layer poultry operations, with pullet operations at the forefront. Although essential to the cycles of production, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the occupational exposure risks of pullet production. The aim of this case study was to measure total dust and ammonia levels during the growth cycle of pullets. Ammonia and total dust concentrations were measured as single day measurements at three different points of time during the 16.5-week growth cycle of pullet flocks using two fixed sampling stations configured to represent the breathing zone height of poultry workers. As birds grew from chicks to hens, concentrations of total dust and ammonia increased. Notably, from 3 weeks-of-age to 9 weeks-of-age concentrations of total dust increased from 1.1-1.2 mg/m3 to 16.0-18.0 mg/m3; and from 9 weeks-of-age to 15 weeks-of-age, dust concentrations reached 43.0-50.0 mg/m3. Concentrations of ammonia also increased from 9 weeks to 15 weeks from 1.1-2.7 ppm to 22.0-30.0 ppm. Both levels of ammonia and total dust reached levels that have the potential to induce adverse health effects among farmers raising pullets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Farfalla
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, Omaha, USA
| | - Chandran Achutan
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, Omaha, USA
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Dahlman-Höglund A, Schiöler L, Andersson M, Mattsby-Baltzer I, Lindgren Å. Endotoxin in Aerosol Particles from Metalworking Fluids Measured with a Sioutas Cascade Impactor. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 66:260-268. [PMID: 34595500 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to characterize personal occupational exposure to endotoxin in size-separated airborne particles of MWF aerosol, using a Sioutas cascade impactor (SCI). METHODS Exposure to inhalable fractions of MWF aerosol and endotoxin was measured by personal sampling of 52 individuals over an 8-h work shift using a PAS-6 sampler in parallel with a SCI (<0.25, 0.25-0.5, 0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.5, and 2.5-10 µm). Aerosol mass concentration was measured for each worker with a real-time instrument (DataRAM) during a full shift. Samples of MWF were collected from the machines and central tanks during the work shift. RESULTS A total of 117 measurements of inhalable MWF aerosols were made among 52 workers. The geometric mean of inhalable MWF aerosol was 0.16 mg m-3 air. The geometric mean of endotoxin concentration on the inhalable sampler was 0.15 EU m-3. Airborne endotoxin was found on all size fractions from the impactor, with the major part seen in the fraction (2.5-10 µm). There was a correlation between the inhalable fraction of endotoxin measured by the PAS-6 sampler and on the SCI sampler (2.5-10 µm), estimated to be 0.51 for all samples (P < 0.0001). The concentration of endotoxin varied between the MWFs, as did the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria among the culturable bacteria (>80% in one MWF and <1.5% in the other three). CONCLUSIONS The personal exposure to inhalable fractions of endotoxin contained in the MWF aerosol were low, where most of the endotoxin were found in fraction (2.5-10 µm), measured by SCI. There are differences between factories and MWF systems regarding the distribution of endotoxin and so results from one context should not be generalized to other plants and systems. Compressed air was used for less than 10 min shift-1. The mixed-effect model showed that working with open machines and grinding as cutting task were important determinants of exposure to inhalable aerosol. It is important to keep occupational exposure to aerosols low with the help of good ventilation systems, enclosed machines, and organization of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dahlman-Höglund
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Medicinaregatan 16A, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Linus Schiöler
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Medicinaregatan 16A, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Marianne Andersson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Medicinaregatan 16A, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Inger Mattsby-Baltzer
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Clinical Bacteriology, University of Göteborg, Guldhedsgatan 10, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Åsa Lindgren
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Clinical Bacteriology, University of Göteborg, Guldhedsgatan 10, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Medicinaregatan 16A, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
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Klar S, Poether DC, Reinert J, Hüttig N, Linsel G, Jäckel U. Application of impedance measurement to investigate in vitro inhalation toxicity of bacteria. J Occup Med Toxicol 2021; 16:32. [PMID: 34384434 PMCID: PMC8359036 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-021-00317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workers of agriculture and intensive life stock farming are exposed to highly contaminated workplaces. Bioaerosol exposures are suspected to trigger respiratory health effects of the workers. So far, risk evaluation of bioaerosols has been assessed through the infectivity of comprising biological agents that is classified in Europe by four risk groups according to the criteria of Directive 2000/54EC of the European Parliament. However, this directive additionally requires the risk assessment of allergenic and toxigenic effects without further elaboration. The aim of our study was to establish an in vitro screening system that is able to measure inhalative toxic effects of bacteria and their metabolites. METHODS In this study, we analyzed three bacterial toxins and five culture supernatants of selected bacteria with known toxicity as model agents exposed to the lung epithelial cell line NuLi-1. We used electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) method to monitor real-time cell changes and the viability test Prestoblue™. RESULTS We confirmed concentration dependent cytotoxic effects of the selected toxins in NuLi-1 cells over a period of up to 48 h. Each toxin resulted in a different but specific impedance profile over time according to their mode of action, whereas viability assay showed the metabolic activity of the cells at a chosen time point without revealing any information on their mode of action. Furthermore, dose-response-relationships were monitored. Tested model bacteria (Streptoccous pneumoniae, Acinetobacter radioresistens, Aerococcus viridans, Aeromonas hydrophila) reacted according to their expected toxicity except one bacterium (Enterococcus faecalis). The established assays revealed the concentration dependent onset and intensity of bacterial cytotoxicity and the viability of the cells at 24 h and 48 h exposure. CONCLUSION Impedance measurement and the viability assay Prestoblue™ in combination are suitable as sensitive screening methods to analyze toxic potential of bacteria and can therefor support the risk assessment of workplaces in terms of the directive 2000/54/EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Klar
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Dierk-Christoph Poether
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jessica Reinert
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Hüttig
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunter Linsel
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Udo Jäckel
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
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Akimov N, Scudder J, Ye JY. Refinement of an open-microcavity optical biosensor for bacterial endotoxin test. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 191:113436. [PMID: 34157598 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test is an in vitro assay widely used in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to detect bacterial endotoxins. Endotoxin is a structural component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, which has serious pathogenic effects in the body and may cause dysfunction of multiple organ systems and increased risk of mortality. To address the growing need for LAL assays due to the increased demand from drug and vaccine manufacturers, we have developed a new LAL assay approach. Our detection mechanism is different and improved from those currently used in the industry, leading to increased test sensitivity and reduced assay time. Our study utilizes an open-microcavity photonic-crystal biosensor to quantify endotoxin concentrations. It has demonstrated an improved LAL assay sensitivity by 10 fold compared to the commercial standard methods and reduced the time needed for the assay by more than half. In addition, this approach requires as little as 5 μL of LAL reagent per test, thereby decreasing costs and conserving horseshoe crabs. The results reported in this paper indicate the possibility of using the photonic-crystal biosensor based approach for significant enhancements of endotoxin testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Scudder
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 8715 W Military Dr., San Antonio, TX, 78227, USA
| | - Jing Yong Ye
- SAFEbiosense LLC, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
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Panikkar B, Barrett MK. Precarious Essential Work, Immigrant Dairy Farmworkers, and Occupational Health Experiences in Vermont. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073675. [PMID: 33915975 PMCID: PMC8038053 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Migrant dairy workers in Vermont face a wide range of occupational and health hazards at work. This research examines the environmental risks, occupational health hazards, and health outcomes experienced by migrant dairy farm workers in Vermont. This research draws on a triangulation of sources including analysis of data—surveys and interviews with migrant dairy farmworkers gathered by the organization Migrant Justice since 2015 as well as relevant key informant interviews with community organizations across the state to characterize the occupational health experiences of migrant dairy workers in Vermont. Our results show that Vermont migrant dairy farmworkers received poor health and safety training and lacked sufficient protective gear. Over three quarters of the respondents reported experiencing harm from chemical and biological risks. Close to half the survey respondents reported headaches, itchy eyes and cough; a quarter reported breathing difficulties; three fourths reported being hurt by animal-related risks. These exposures and existing health concerns are avoidable. Migrant workers require better social representation and advocates to negotiate better work-related protection and training, access to health services, and social welfare to ensure their health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu Panikkar
- Bindu Panikkar, Environmental Studies Program and the Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, 81 Carrigan Dr., Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Mary-Kate Barrett
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Morril Hall, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
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26
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Lindström I, Lantto J, Karvala K, Soini S, Ylinen K, Suojalehto H, Suuronen K. Occupations and exposure events in acute and subacute irritant-induced asthma. Occup Environ Med 2021; 78:793-800. [PMID: 33790028 PMCID: PMC8526874 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-107323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Exposures leading to irritant-induced asthma (IIA) are poorly documented. Methods We retrospectively screened the medical records of patients with IIA diagnosed in an occupational medicine clinic during 2000–2018. We classified the cases into acute (onset after single exposure) and subacute (onset after multiple exposures) IIA. We analysed in detail, occupations, causative agents and their air levels in the workplace, exposure events and the root causes of high exposure. Results Altogether 69 patients were diagnosed with IIA, 30 with acute and 39 with subacute IIA. The most common occupational groups were industrial operators (n=23, 33%), metal and machinery workers (n=16, 11%) and construction workers (n=12, 8%). Among industrial operators significantly more cases had subacute IIA than acute IIA (p=0.002). Forty cases (57%) were attributable to some type of corrosive acidic or alkaline chemical. Acute IIA followed accidents at work in different types of occupation, while subacute IIA was typical among industrial operators performing their normal work tasks under poor work hygiene conditions. The most common root cause was lack of information or false guidance in acute IIA (n=11, 36%) and neglect of workplace hygiene measures in subacute IIA (n=29, 74%). Conclusions Accidents are the main causes of acute IIA, whereas subacute IIA can develop in normal work in risk trades with poor work hygiene. Airborne strong acids or bases seem to be the most important causative agents of acute and subacute IIA. The different risk profiles of acute and subacute IIA should be considered in the prevention and identification of the cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irmeli Lindström
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Lantto
- Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki, Finland.,University of Helsinki Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Karvala
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.,Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Soini
- Occupational Health, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Oulu, Finland
| | - Katriina Ylinen
- Work Environmental Laboratories, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hille Suojalehto
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katri Suuronen
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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27
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Lim RRX, Fung FM, Feng HT, Li SFY. Analysis of lipopolysaccharides by coupling microscale solid-phase extraction with capillary electrophoresis-laser induced fluorescence. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.105771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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28
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Virji MA, Kurth L. Peak Inhalation Exposure Metrics Used in Occupational Epidemiologic and Exposure Studies. Front Public Health 2021; 8:611693. [PMID: 33490023 PMCID: PMC7820770 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.611693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peak exposures are of concern because they can potentially overwhelm normal defense mechanisms and induce adverse health effects. Metrics of peak exposure have been used in epidemiologic and exposure studies, but consensus is lacking on its definition. The relevant characteristics of peak exposure are dependent upon exposure patterns, biokinetics of exposure, and disease mechanisms. The objective of this review was to summarize the use of peak metrics in epidemiologic and exposure studies. A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and NIOSHTIC-2 databases was conducted using keywords related to peak exposures. The retrieved references were reviewed and selected for indexing if they included a peak metric and met additional criteria. Information on health outcomes and peak exposure metrics was extracted from each reference. A total of 1,215 epidemiologic or exposure references were identified, of which 182 were indexed and summarized. For the 72 epidemiologic studies, the health outcomes most frequently evaluated were: chronic respiratory effects, cancer and acute respiratory symptoms. Exposures were frequently assessed using task-based and full-shift time-integrated methods, qualitative methods, and real-time instruments. Peak exposure summary metrics included the presence or absence of a peak event, highest exposure intensity and frequency greater than a target. Peak metrics in the 110 exposure studies most frequently included highest exposure intensity, average short-duration intensity, and graphical presentation of the real-time data (plots). This review provides a framework for considering biologically relevant peak exposure metrics for epidemiologic and exposure studies to help inform risk assessment and exposure mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abbas Virji
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Laura Kurth
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States
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Luiken REC, Van Gompel L, Bossers A, Munk P, Joosten P, Hansen RB, Knudsen BE, García-Cobos S, Dewulf J, Aarestrup FM, Wagenaar JA, Smit LAM, Mevius DJ, Heederik DJJ, Schmitt H. Farm dust resistomes and bacterial microbiomes in European poultry and pig farms. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105971. [PMID: 32738764 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Livestock farms are a reservoir of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from feces. Airborne dust-bound bacteria can spread across the barn and to the outdoor environment. Therefore, exposure to farm dust may be of concern for animals, farmers and neighboring residents. Although dust is a potential route of transmission, little is known about the resistome and bacterial microbiome of farm dust. OBJECTIVES We describe the resistome and bacterial microbiome of pig and poultry farm dust and their relation with animal feces resistomes and bacterial microbiomes, and on-farm antimicrobial usage (AMU). In addition, the relation between dust and farmers' stool resistomes was explored. METHODS In the EFFORT-study, resistomes and bacterial microbiomes of indoor farm dust collected on Electrostatic Dust fall Collectors (EDCs), and animal feces of 35 conventional broiler and 44 farrow-to-finish pig farms from nine European countries were determined by shotgun metagenomic analysis. The analysis also included 79 stool samples from farmers working or living at 12 broiler and 19 pig farms and 46 human controls. Relative abundance of and variation in resistome and bacterial composition of farm dust was described and compared to animal feces and farmers' stool. RESULTS The farm dust resistome contained a large variety of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs); more than the animal fecal resistome. For both poultry and pigs, composition of dust resistomes finds (partly) its origin in animal feces as dust resistomes correlated significantly with fecal resistomes. The dust bacterial microbiome also correlated significantly with the dust resistome composition. A positive association between AMU in animals on the farm and the total abundance of the dust resistome was found. Occupational exposure to pig farm dust or animal feces may contribute to farmers' resistomes, however no major shifts in farmers resistome towards feces or dust resistomes were found in this study. CONCLUSION Poultry and pig farm dust resistomes are rich and abundant and associated with the fecal resistome of the animals and the dust bacterial microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roosmarijn E C Luiken
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Liese Van Gompel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alex Bossers
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands; Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Munk
- Section for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Philip Joosten
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Berith E Knudsen
- Section for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Silvia García-Cobos
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Dewulf
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Frank M Aarestrup
- Section for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands; Dept. Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dik J Mevius
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands; Dept. Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick J J Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands; Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721MA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Liebers V, Brüning T, Raulf M. Occupational endotoxin exposure and health effects. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3629-3644. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02905-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Sigsgaard T, Basinas I, Doekes G, de Blay F, Folletti I, Heederik D, Lipinska-Ojrzanowska A, Nowak D, Olivieri M, Quirce S, Raulf M, Sastre J, Schlünssen V, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Siracusa A. Respiratory diseases and allergy in farmers working with livestock: a EAACI position paper. Clin Transl Allergy 2020; 10:29. [PMID: 32642058 PMCID: PMC7336421 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00334-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Farmers constitute a large professional group worldwide. In developed countries farms tend to become larger, with a concentration of farm operations. Animal farming has been associated with negative respiratory effects such as work-related asthma and rhinitis. However, being born and raised or working on a farm reduces the risk of atopic asthma and rhinitis later in life. A risk of chronic bronchitis and bronchial obstruction/COPD has been reported in confinement buildings and livestock farmers. This position paper reviews the literature linking exposure information to intensive animal farming and the risk of work-related respiratory diseases and focuses on prevention. Animal farming is associated with exposure to organic dust containing allergens and microbial matter including alive microorganisms and viruses, endotoxins and other factors like irritant gases such as ammonia and disinfectants. These exposures have been identified as specific agents/risk factors of asthma, rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, COPD and reduced FEV1. Published studies on dust and endotoxin exposure in livestock farmers do not show a downward trend in exposure over the last 30 years, suggesting that the workforce in these industries is still overexposed and at risk of developing respiratory disease. In cases of occupational asthma and rhinitis, avoidance of further exposure to causal agents is recommended, but it may not be obtainable in agriculture, mainly due to socio-economic considerations. Hence, there is an urgent need for focus on farming exposure in order to protect farmers and others at work in these and related industries from developing respiratory diseases and allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sigsgaard
- Department of Environment Occupation & Health, Dept of Public Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, Build. 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - I Basinas
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - G Doekes
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - F de Blay
- Division of Asthma and Allergy, Department of Chest Diseases, University Hospital, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - I Folletti
- Occupational Medicine, Terni Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - D Heederik
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A Lipinska-Ojrzanowska
- Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - D Nowak
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.,Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich, Member DZL, German Centre for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - M Olivieri
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - S Quirce
- Department of Allergy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ) and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Raulf
- IPA Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - J Sastre
- Department of Allergy, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (Ciberes), Madrid, Spain
| | - V Schlünssen
- Department of Environment Occupation & Health, Dept of Public Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, Build. 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - J Walusiak-Skorupa
- Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - A Siracusa
- Formerly Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Sauvé JF, Locke SJ, Josse PR, Stapleton EM, Metwali N, Altmaier RW, Andreotti G, Thorne PS, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE, Friesen MC. Characterization of inhalable endotoxin, glucan, and dust exposures in Iowa farmers. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 228:113525. [PMID: 32311660 PMCID: PMC8010939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The observed deficit of lung cancer in farmers has been partly attributed to exposure to organic dusts and endotoxins based largely on surrogate metrics. To move beyond these surrogates for etiological studies, we characterized task-based and time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to inhalable endotoxin, (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan, and dust in Iowa farmers. METHODS We collected 320 personal inhalable dust samples from 32 farmers during 69 sample days in 2015 and 2016. Samples were collected using Button aerosol samplers and analyzed for endotoxin using a kinetic chromogenic amebocyte lysate assay, and for (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan using a Limulus endpoint assay. We assessed relationships between bioaerosol concentrations and selected tasks and farm characteristics using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS Bedding work, hog handling, and working in barn/confinement buildings, grain bins, and grain elevators were associated with higher endotoxin exposure. We found a monotonic trend between higher endotoxin concentrations and increasing number of animals. Bedding work, cleaning, and feed/grain storage work were associated with higher (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan concentrations. The median concentrations by task spanned one order of magnitude for inhalable dust and two orders of magnitude for endotoxin and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan. Pearson correlations between endotoxin and glucan concentrations were 0.22 for TWA exposure and 0.56 for task samples. CONCLUSIONS This characterization of exposure factors that influence bioaerosol concentrations can support the development of refined bioaerosol exposure metrics for future etiologic analyses of cancer and other health outcomes in farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Sauvé
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sarah J Locke
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Pabitra R Josse
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Emma M Stapleton
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Nervana Metwali
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Ralph W Altmaier
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peter S Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Melissa C Friesen
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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Rosen K, Ebner F, Schmidt S, Hartmann S, Merle R, Friese A, Roesler U. Influence of Immune Status on the Airborne Colonization of Piglets with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Clonal Complex (CC) 398. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2020; 10:1-10. [PMID: 32363033 PMCID: PMC7182117 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2019.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Colonized vertebrates including humans and pigs are to date the main reservoirs of livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA). Currently, the mechanisms underlying colonization of pigs are not fully understood. We investigated the influence of piglet pre-immune status on airborne MRSA colonization. Three groups of MRSA-negative piglets were primed and exposed to airborne LA-MRSA (104 colony forming units (cfu)/m3) in an aerosol chamber for 24 h. One group was treated intramuscularly with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg body weight) to imitate weaning stress. The second group was exposed to bacterial endotoxin containing MRSA aerosol. Both conditions play a role in the development of multifactorial diseases and may promote MRSA colonization success. The third group served as control. The piglets' MRSA status was monitored for 21 days via swab samples. At necropsy, specific tissues and organs were analyzed. Blood was collected to examine specific immunological parameters. The duration of MRSA colonization was not extended in both treated groups compared to the control group, indicating the two immune-status influencing factors do not promote MRSA colonization. Blood sample analysis confirmed a mild dexamethasone-induced immune suppression and typical endotoxin-related changes in peripheral blood. Of note, the low-dose dexamethasone treatment showed a trend of increased MRSA clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Rosen
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection medicine, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friederike Ebner
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection medicine, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schmidt
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection medicine, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection medicine, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roswitha Merle
- Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anika Friese
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection medicine, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Roesler
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection medicine, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Li Z, Wang C, Li B, Shi Z, Zheng W, Teng G. Concentration and size distribution of particulate matter in a new aviary system for laying hens in China. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2020; 70:379-392. [PMID: 31990638 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2020.1722291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) from poultry production facilities may strongly affect the health of animals and workers in the houses, and PM emitted to the ambient air is an important pollution source to the surrounding areas. Aviary system is considered as a welfare friendly production system for laying hens. However, its air quality is typically worse as compared with conventional cage systems, because of the higher PM concentration of indoor air and other airborne contaminants. Furthermore, PM's physical property, which has a direct impact on the penetration depth into the lungs of the birds and humans, is largely unknown for the aviary system. Therefore, a systematic method was utilized to investigate the characteristics of particles in the aviary house with large cage aviary unit system (LCAU) in Beijing, China. For the field measurements, three measuring locations were selected with two inside and one outside the house with LCAU to continuously monitor PM concentrations and collect the samples for particle size distribution (PSD) analysis. Results showed that PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particulate (TSP) concentrations averaged at 0.037 ± 0.025 mg/m3, 0.42 ± 0.10 mg/m3, and 1.92 ± 1.91 mg/m3, respectively. Particle concentrations increased from October to December due to less ventilation as the weather got colder, and were generally affected by stocking density, ventilation rate, birds' activities, and housing system. Meanwhile, indoor PM2.5 concentration was easily impacted by the ambient air quality. Mass median diameter (MMD) and mass geometric standard deviation (MGSD) of the TSP during the measurement were 18.92 ± 7.08 μm and 3.11 ± 0.31, respectively. Count median diameter (CMD) and count geometric standard deviation (CGSD) were 1.94 ± 0.14 μm and 1.48 ± 0.08, respectively. Results indicated that the aviary system can attain a good indoor condition by suitable system design and environment control strategy.Implications: Indoor PM2.5 concentration of the layer house can be significantly affected by ambient air quality when the air quality index (AQI) was larger than 100. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations of the layer house with a LCAU system were comparable to the cage system. TSP concentration was higher, and PM size was larger than most of the cage system. System design, larger space volume, and higher ventilation rate were the main influence factors. Good indoor environment of the aviary system can be achieved through the reasonable design of the production system and appropriate environment control strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyang Li
- Department of Agricultural Structure and Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyuan Wang
- Department of Agricultural Structure and Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoming Li
- Department of Agricultural Structure and Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengxiang Shi
- Department of Agricultural Structure and Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Weichao Zheng
- Department of Agricultural Structure and Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Teng
- Department of Agricultural Structure and Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Grout L, Baker MG, French N, Hales S. A Review of Potential Public Health Impacts Associated With the Global Dairy Sector. GEOHEALTH 2020; 4:e2019GH000213. [PMID: 32159049 PMCID: PMC7017588 DOI: 10.1029/2019gh000213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Strong demand for dairy products has led to a global increase in dairy production. In many parts of the world, dairy systems are undergoing rapid intensification. While increased production may contribute to food security, higher dairy stocking rates in some regions have resulted in increased pressure on natural resources with the potential to affect public health and wellbeing. The aim of this review was to identify and describe the potential health harms and benefits associated with dairy production and consumption. Electronic databases Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for published literature that investigated human health impacts of dairy production and consumption. Occupational hazards, environmental health impacts, ecosystem health impacts, foodborne hazards, and diet-related chronic diseases were identified as potential public health hazards. Some impacts, notably climate change, extend beyond directly exposed populations. Dairy production and consumption are also associated with important health benefits through the provision of nutrients and economic opportunities. As the global dairy sector increases production, exposure to a range of hazards must be weighed with these benefits. The review of impacts presented here can provide an input into decision making about optimal levels of dairy production and consumption, local land use, and identification and management of specific hazards from this sector. Future research should consider multiple exposure routes, socioeconomic implications, and environmental factors, particularly in regions heavily dependent on dairy farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Grout
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Michael G. Baker
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Nigel French
- School of Veterinary Science, Hopkirk Research InstituteMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Simon Hales
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
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Abstract
Biological high-risk pollutants (HRPs) have become a serious threat to human health worldwide, and wastewater is one of the major sources of them in a natural environment. Despite the long history of wastewater research, comprehensive understanding of the role and behavior of HRPs during wastewater treatment is still limited owing to the complexity of the community. In recent decades, the rapid development of molecular tools, especially the wide application of next generation sequencing technologies, helps to unravel the community composition, structure, and dynamic variation in wastewater. Overall, this chapter mainly focuses on biological HRPs, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminth, biotoxins, antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater. The characteristics, classification, fates, functions, and health implications of these HRPs are introduced in detail. Moreover, the biogeography of HRPs is a research hotspot in recent years, and available information is also summarized in this chapter. Finally, we also propose the future research needs of HRPs in wastewater after the comprehensive summary of the existing research reports. This chapter is wished to be helpful for beginners to quickly understand the biological HRPs in wastewater.
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Occupational Exposure to Endotoxin along a Municipal Scale Fecal Sludge Collection and Resource Recovery Process in Kigali, Rwanda. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16234740. [PMID: 31783533 PMCID: PMC6926866 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Little is known about occupational exposures that occur along fecal sludge collection and resource recovery processes. This study characterizes inhaled endotoxin exposure to workers of a municipal scale fecal sludge-to-fuel processes in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods: Forty-two task-based air samples were collected from workers in five tasks along the fecal sludge collection and resource recovery process. Samples were processed for endotoxin using the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test. To account for exposure variability and compare measured concentrations to established exposure limits, we used Monte Carlo modeling methods to construct distributions representing full eight-hour (8-h) exposures to endotoxin across eight exposure scenarios. Results: Geometric mean (GM) endotoxin concentrations in task-based samples ranged from 11–3700 EU/m3 with exposure concentrations increasing as the dryness of the fecal sludge increased through processing. The thermal dryer task had the highest endotoxin concentrations (GM = 3700 EU/m3) and the inlet task had the lowest (GM = 11 EU/m3). The geometric means (GM) of modeled 8-h exposure concentrations were between 6.7–960 EU/m3 and highest for scenarios which included the thermal dryer task in the exposure scenario. Conclusions: Our data suggest the importance of including worker exposure considerations in the design of nascent fecal sludge management processes. The methods used in this study combine workplace sampling with stochastic modeling and are useful for exposure assessment in resource constrained contexts.
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Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173226. [PMID: 31484444 PMCID: PMC6747462 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker's personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m-3 and 0.02 mg m-3 were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m-3 were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (<LOD-0.03 mg m-3) on days when the indoor arena was watered (p < 0.01); however, manual watering is time intensive and less likely to be implemented in practice. This small-scale study provides new data on RCS and RD exposures among equestrian workers. RCS exposures are within the range considered to be associated with increased risk for lung cancer. The use of dust control solutions such as water suppression should be promoted for equestrian work in horse riding arenas. Equestrian workers need to receive occupational health training on the health risks associated with RCS exposure.
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Schmidt S. Microbial Toxins in E-Liquid: A Potential New Vaping-Related Exposure to Explore. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:94001. [PMID: 31478757 PMCID: PMC6791572 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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Hwang J, Golla V, Metwali N, Thorne PS. Inhalable and Respirable Particulate and Endotoxin Exposures in Kentucky Equine Farms. J Agromedicine 2019; 25:179-189. [PMID: 31430228 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2019.1656128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Adverse respiratory health effects in the agricultural industry have been linked to particulate endotoxin exposure. However, whether the endotoxin concentration is significantly correlated to the size of the particle remains an open question. To date, limited research has been conducted to assess particulate endotoxin exposures in the agricultural industry in general or the equine industry in particular. A task-based exposure assessment was conducted to characterize the endotoxin levels of inhalable and respirable particles on four Kentucky farms during the summer season. We conducted personal sampling of respirable and inhalable particles (n = 75) across all four farms and particulate endotoxin (n = 58) on two of them. Simultaneously, we collected real-time area samples across all four farms by task - horse care, filing hooves, cleaning stalls, cleaning barns, cleaning dry lots, and cleaning trucks. The endotoxin concentration of inhalable particles (geometric mean: 50.2-1,024 EU/m3) was ~50 times higher than that of respirable particles (geometric mean: 1.72-19.0 EU/m3). Horse care generated the lowest endotoxin concentrations for both particle sizes, while cleaning tasks tended to produce higher concentrations. There was no significant correlation between the endotoxin and particle concentrations for each size fraction based on tasks by farm (R2 = 0.069 for inhalable; 0.214 for respirable). The equine workers in this study were exposed to higher endotoxin concentrations than workers in other industries, such as the swine industry. Providing exposure control guidelines and recommendations to the equine industry is necessary to reduce long-term endotoxin exposure and to prevent adverse respiratory symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jooyeon Hwang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Vijay Golla
- Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA
| | - Nervana Metwali
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter S Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Koets A, Ravesloot L, Ruuls R, Dinkla A, Eisenberg S, Lievaart-Peterson K. Effects of Age and Environment on Adaptive Immune Responses to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) Vaccination in Dairy Goats in Relation to Paratuberculosis Control Strategies. Vet Sci 2019; 6:vetsci6030062. [PMID: 31266267 PMCID: PMC6789810 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci6030062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Paratuberculosis infection is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In the Netherlands, 75% herd level prevalence of caprine paratuberculosis has been estimated, and vaccination is the principal control strategy applied. Most goat dairy farms with endemic paratuberculosis systematically vaccinate goat kids in the first months of life with a commercially available whole cell MAP vaccine. We hypothesized that the development of adaptive immune responses in goats vaccinated at young age depends on the environment they are raised in, and this has implications for the application of immune diagnostic tests in vaccinated dairy goats. We evaluated the early immune response to vaccination in young goat kids sourced from a MAP unsuspected non-vaccinated herd and raised in a MAP-free environment. Subsequently we compared these with responses observed in birth year and vaccination matched adult goats raised on farms with endemic paratuberculosis. Results indicated that initial adaptive immune responses to vaccination are limited in a MAP-free environment. In addition, adult antibody positive vaccinated goats raised in a MAP endemic environment are less likely to be IS900 PCR-positive as compared to antibody negative herd mates. We conclude that test-and-cull strategies in a vaccinated herd are currently not feasible using available immune diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ad Koets
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands.
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lars Ravesloot
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Robin Ruuls
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Dinkla
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Eisenberg
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Shamsollahi HR, Ghoochani M, Jaafari J, Moosavi A, Sillanpää M, Alimohammadi M. Environmental exposure to endotoxin and its health outcomes: A systematic review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 174:236-244. [PMID: 30831472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to endotoxin occurs environmentally and occupationally. There are several differences between them in terms of the variety and severity of health outcomes, possible exposed groups and type and route of exposure. Occupational exposures caused adverse health outcomes in almost all cases, but there is disparity in the incidence of significant health outcomes due to environmental exposure to endotoxin. This study has therefore endeavoured to investigate health outcomes from environmental exposure to endotoxin. A systematic review was conducted of three databases and non-occupational studies reporting the environmental concentration of endotoxin, and observed health outcomes in exposed groups were included in the review (n = 27). The studies showed that first exposure to endotoxin occurs in infancy by the inhalation route. Inhalation is the only exposure route that can induce inflammation as the main symptom of exposure to endotoxin. The studies included were conducted using four approaches: molecular immunology, measurement of lung volumes, clinical sensitisation test and diagnosis of asthmatic and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing. By the immunological approach, all the included studies reported that environmental exposure to endotoxin, especially at a younger age, has a protective effect on the incidence of asthma in adolescence. The main disparity observed was in studies using the approach of diagnosed asthma. Overall, however, they confirm the protective effect of exposure to endotoxin although, in the case of children with non-atopic asthma, the results could be different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Reza Shamsollahi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahboobeh Ghoochani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jalil Jaafari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Azam Moosavi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran.
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Laboratory of Green Chemistry, School of Engineering Science, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Sammonkatu 12, Mikkeli, Finland.
| | - Mahmood Alimohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Water Quality Research (CWQI), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Health Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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The Indoor-Air Microbiota of Pig Farms Drives the Composition of the Pig Farmers' Nasal Microbiota in a Season-Dependent and Farm-Specific Manner. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.03038-18. [PMID: 30824439 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03038-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior studies have demonstrated an influence of the built environment on the human nasal microbiota. However, very little is known about the influences of working on a pig farm on the human nasal microbiota. We longitudinally collected samples from 30 pig farms (air and nasal swabs from humans and pigs) in Switzerland from 2014 to 2015. As controls, nasal swabs from cow farmers and individuals with no contact with farm animals were included. An analysis of the microbiota for all samples (n = 609) was performed based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing (MiSeq) and included the investigations of source-sink dynamics. The numbers of indoor airborne particles and bacterial loads in pig farms were also investigated and were highest in winter. Similarly, the microbiota analyses revealed that the alpha diversity values of the nares of pig farmers were increased in winter in contrast to those of samples from the nonexposed controls, which displayed low alpha diversity values throughout the seasons. Source-sink analyses revealed that bacteria from the noses of pigs are more commonly coidentified within the pig farmers' microbiota in winter but to a less extent in summer. In addition, in winter, there was a stronger intrasimilarity for samples that originated from the same farm than for samples from different farms, and this farm specificity was partially or completely lost in spring, summer, and fall. In conclusion, in contrast to nonexposed controls, a pig farmer's nasal microbiota is dynamic, as the indoor-air microbiota of pig farms drives the composition of the pig farmer's nasal microbiota in a season-dependent manner.IMPORTANCE The airborne microbiota of pig farms poses a potential health hazard and impacts both livestock and humans working in this environment. Therefore, a more thorough understanding of the microbiota composition and dynamics in this setting is needed. This study was of a prospective design (12 months) and used samples from different sites. This means that the microbiota of air, animals (pigs), and humans was simultaneously investigated. Our findings highlight that the potential health hazard might be particularly high in winter compared to that in summer.
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Lee MS, Allen JG, Christiani DC. Endotoxin and [Formula: see text] Contamination in Electronic Cigarette Products Sold in the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:047008. [PMID: 31017484 PMCID: PMC6785222 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigarette smoke contains microbes and microbial toxins, such as endotoxin and [Formula: see text], that may have adverse respiratory effects. To our knowledge, the potential for contamination of electronic cigarette (EC) products sold in the United States has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether popular cartridge and e-liquid EC products were contaminated with endotoxin or glucan and to examine differences according to the type and flavor of products. METHODS We selected 37 cartridges and 38 e-liquid products with the highest nicotine content from the ten top-selling U.S. brands. Flavors were classified into four groups: tobacco, menthol, fruit, and other. Endotoxin and glucan were measured using an endotoxin-specific kinetic turbidimetric assay and a Glucatell® Kinetic Assay (Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.), respectively. RESULTS Endotoxin concentrations were over the limit of detection (LOD) in 17 of 75 products tested (23%), and glucan concentrations were greater than LOD in 61 of 75 products (81%). After adjusting for brand and flavor, the mean glucan concentration was 3.2 times higher [95% confidence interval (CI): [Formula: see text], 18.4] in cartridge vs. e-liquid samples. After adjusting for brand and type of product, glucan concentrations in tobacco- and menthol-flavored ECs were 10.4 (95% CI: 1.8, 44.9) and 3.5 (95% CI: 0.1, 17.3) times higher than concentrations found in fruit-flavored products. CONCLUSIONS EC products may be contaminated with microbial toxins. Further studies with large representative samples of products are needed to confirm our findings, identify sources and routes of contamination, and evaluate health effects associated with the use of contaminated products. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3469.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Sun Lee
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph G. Allen
- Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David C. Christiani
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Lerro CC, Koutros S, Andreotti G, Sandler DP, Lynch CF, Louis LM, Blair A, Parks CG, Shrestha S, Lubin JH, Albert PS, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE. Cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study after 20 years of follow-up. Cancer Causes Control 2019; 30:311-322. [PMID: 30805813 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-019-01140-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a cohort of private pesticide applicators, their spouses, and commercial applicators, based on 12,420 cancers, adding 5,989 cancers, and 9 years of follow-up since last evaluation. METHODS We calculated age, year, sex, and race-adjusted standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cancer sites in the AHS relative to the general population. RESULTS Overall AHS cancer incidence was lower than the general population (SIRprivate = 0.91, CI 0.89-0.93; SIRspouse = 0.89, CI 0.86-0.92; SIRcommercial = 0.83, CI 0.76-0.92), with notable deficits across applicators and spouses for oral cavity, pancreas, and lung cancers. Cancer excesses included prostate cancer, lip cancer, certain B-cell lymphomas (e.g., multiple myeloma), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, and peritoneal cancer. The lung cancer deficit was strongest among applicators reporting potential exposure to endotoxin at study enrollment (tasks such as raising animals and handling stored grain). CONCLUSIONS Although an overall deficit in cancer was observed, there were notable exceptions, including newly observed excesses for AML, thyroid, testicular, and peritoneal cancers. Furthermore, endotoxin exposure may, in part, account for observed lung cancer incidence deficits. Cancer incidence patterns in the AHS suggest farm exposures' relevance to cancer etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C Lerro
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Stella Koutros
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Gabriella Andreotti
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Charles F Lynch
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Lydia M Louis
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Christine G Parks
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Srishti Shrestha
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jay H Lubin
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Paul S Albert
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6E116, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
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Asthma and selective migration from farming environments in a three-generation cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol 2019; 34:601-609. [PMID: 30729356 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-019-00491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Individuals raised on a farm appear to have less asthma than individual raised elsewhere. However, selective migration might contribute to this as may also the suggested protection from farm environment. This study investigated if parents with asthma are less likely to raise their children on a farm. This study involved three generations: 6045 participants in ECRHS/RHINE cohorts (born 1945-1973, denoted G1), their 10,121 parents (denoted G0) and their 8260 offspring participating in RHINESSA (born 1963-1998, denoted G2). G2-offspring provided information on parents not participating in ECRHS/RHINE. Asthma status and place of upbringing for all three generations were reported in questionnaires by G1 in 2010-2012 and by G2 in 2013-2016. Binary regressions with farm upbringing as outcome were performed to explore associations between parental asthma and offspring farm upbringing in G0-G1 and G1-G2. Having at least one parent with asthma was not associated with offspring farm upbringing, either in G1-G2 (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.81-1.52) or in G0-G1 (RR 0.99, 0.85-1.15). G1 parents with asthma born in a city tended to move and raise their G2 offspring on a farm (RR 2.00, 1.12-3.55), while G1 parents with asthma born on a farm were less likely to raise their G2 offspring on a farm (RR 0.34, 0.11-1.06). This pattern was not observed in analyses of G0-G1. This study suggests that the protective effect from farm upbringing on subsequent asthma development could not be explained by selective migration. Intriguingly, asthmatic parents appeared to change environment when having children.
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Viegas S, Assunção R, Martins C, Nunes C, Osteresch B, Twarużek M, Kosicki R, Grajewski J, Ribeiro E, Viegas C. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins in Swine Production: Environmental and Biological Monitoring Approaches. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E78. [PMID: 30717100 PMCID: PMC6410041 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Swine production workers are exposed simultaneously to multiple contaminants. Occupational exposure to aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in Portuguese swine production farms has already been reported. However, besides AFB₁, data regarding fungal contamination showed that exposure to other mycotoxins could be expected in this setting. The present study aimed to characterize the occupational exposure to multiple mycotoxins of swine production workers. To provide a broad view on the burden of contamination by mycotoxins and the workers' exposure, biological (urine) samples from workers (n = 25) and 38 environmental samples (air samples, n = 23; litter samples, n = 5; feed samples, n = 10) were collected. The mycotoxins biomarkers detected in the urine samples of the workers group were the deoxynivalenol-glucuronic acid conjugate (60%), aflatoxin M₁ (16%), enniatin B (4%), citrinin (8%), dihydrocitrinone (12%) and ochratoxin A (80%). Results of the control group followed the same pattern, but in general with a lower number of quantifiable results (
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Viegas
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ricardo Assunção
- Food and Nutrition Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P. (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carla Martins
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Food and Nutrition Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P. (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Carla Nunes
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Bernd Osteresch
- Group of Prof. Humpf, Institute of Food Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster Corrensstraße 45, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Magdalena Twarużek
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Robert Kosicki
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Jan Grajewski
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Edna Ribeiro
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Carla Viegas
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
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Vested A, Basinas I, Burdorf A, Elholm G, Heederik DJJ, Jacobsen GH, Kolstad HA, Kromhout H, Omland Ø, Sigsgaard T, Thulstrup AM, Toft G, Vestergaard JM, Wouters IM, Schlünssen V. A nationwide follow-up study of occupational organic dust exposure and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Occup Environ Med 2018; 76:105-113. [PMID: 30598459 PMCID: PMC6581073 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2018-105323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To study exposure-response relations between cumulative organic dust exposure and incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among subjects employed in the Danish farming and wood industry. Methods We studied exposure-response relations between cumulative organic dust exposure and incident COPD (1997–2013) among individuals born during 1950–1977 in Denmark ever employed in the farming or wood industry (n=1 75 409). Industry-specific employment history (1964–2007), combined with time-dependent farming and wood industry-specific exposure matrices defined cumulative exposure. We used logistic regression analysis with discrete survival function adjusting for age, sex and calendar year. Adjustment for smoking status was explored in a subgroup of 4023 with smoking information available. Results Cumulative organic dust exposure was inversely associated with COPD (adjusted rate ratios (RRadj (95% CIs) of 0.90 (0.82 to 0.99), 0.76 (0.69 to 0.84) and 0.52 (0.47 to 0.58) for intermediate-low, intermediate-high and high exposure quartiles, respectively, compared with the lowest exposure quartile). Lagging exposure 10 years was not consistently suggestive of an association between cumulative exposure and COPD; RRadj (95% CI): 1.05 (0.94 to 1.16), 0.92 (0.83 to 1.02) and 0.63 (0.56 to 0.70). Additional stratification by duration of employment showed no clear association between organic dust exposure and COPD except for the longer exposed (15–40 years) where an inverse association was indicated. Subgroup analyses showed that smoking had no impact on exposure-response estimates. Conclusions Our findings show no increased risk of COPD with increasing occupational exposure to organic dust in the farming or wood industry. Potential residual confounding by smoking can, however, not be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vested
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ioannis Basinas
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Human Exposure Science (CHES), Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alex Burdorf
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Grethe Elholm
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dick J J Heederik
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gitte H Jacobsen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, University Research Clinic, Regional Hospital West, Herning, Denmark
| | - Henrik A Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Øyvind Omland
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ane M Thulstrup
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jesper M Vestergaard
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, University Research Clinic, Regional Hospital West, Herning, Denmark
| | - Inge M Wouters
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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49
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Sources of Airborne Endotoxins in Ambient Air and Exposure of Nearby Communities—A Review. ATMOSPHERE 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos9100375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endotoxin is a bioaerosol component that is known to cause respiratory effects in exposed populations. To date, most research focused on occupational exposure, whilst much less is known about the impact of emissions from industrial operations on downwind endotoxin concentrations. A review of the literature was undertaken, identifying studies that reported endotoxin concentrations in both ambient environments and around sources with high endotoxin emissions. Ambient endotoxin concentrations in both rural and urban areas are generally below 10 endotoxin units (EU) m−3; however, around significant sources such as compost facilities, farms, and wastewater treatment plants, endotoxin concentrations regularly exceeded 100 EU m−3. However, this is affected by a range of factors including sampling approach, equipment, and duration. Reported downwind measurements of endotoxin demonstrate that endotoxin concentrations can remain above upwind concentrations. The evaluation of reported data is complicated due to a wide range of different parameters including sampling approaches, temperature, and site activity, demonstrating the need for a standardised methodology and improved guidance. Thorough characterisation of ambient endotoxin levels and modelling of endotoxin from pollution sources is needed to help inform future policy and support a robust health-based risk assessment process.
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50
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Boulanger M, Tual S, Lemarchand C, Guizard AV, Delafosse P, Marcotullio E, Pons R, Piel C, Pouchieu C, Baldi I, Clin B, Lebailly P. Lung cancer risk and occupational exposures in crop farming: results from the AGRIculture and CANcer (AGRICAN) cohort. Occup Environ Med 2018; 75:776-785. [DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2017-104976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
ObjectivesFarmers are considered at lower risk of lung cancer. However, specific tasks can expose them to hazardous air contaminants such as pesticides, diesel exhaust and mineral dust. This study aimed to assess the associations between various crops and related tasks and the risk of lung cancer, overall and by histological subtypes.MethodsAGRIculture and CANcer is a prospective French cohort of individuals affiliated to the agricultural health insurance scheme. Incident lung cancers (n=897) were identified by cancer registries from enrolment (2005–2007) to 2013. Data on crop and livestock exposure during lifetime were obtained from the enrolment questionnaire. We used a Cox model with attained age as timescale, adjusted for gender, smoking history and exposure to cattle and horses. Effects of duration and surface were assessed and analyses stratified on gender and smoking status were performed.ResultsWinegrowers were at higher risk of adenocarcinoma (HR=1.27 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.72)). We also found an association between pea growing and small cell lung cancer: significant effect of duration (ptrend=0.04) and the suggestion of a surface–effect relationship (ptrend=0.06); increased risk (HR=2.38 (95% CI 1.07 to 5.28)) for pesticide users; and significant effect of duration (ptrend=0.01) for harvesters. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma was increased for sunflower growing (HR=1.59 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.62), fruit-tree pruning (HR=1.44 (95% CI 0.92 to 2.27)) and pesticide use on beets (HR=1.47 (95% CI 0.92 to 2.34)). Corn and/or wheat/barley growers were at lower risk of lung cancer.ConclusionsOur results suggest associations between lung cancer and several crop-related tasks, even if we cannot rule out some chance findings due to multiple comparisons.
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