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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2010
Change in airway responsiveness over a workweek in organic waste loaders
Gea de Meer1, Dick Heederik, Inge M Wouters
1Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Environmental and Occupational Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. G.de.Meer@med.UMCG.nl
Objective:
Organic waste workers are exposed to high endotoxin levels that may result in respiratory health effects. This study describes changes in lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness over a workweek in household organic waste loaders.
Methods:
Assessment of lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness before and after a workweek in six organic waste loaders with and ten loaders without regular respiratory symptoms. Methacholine responsiveness was expressed as dose-response slope, i.e. % fall in FEV(1) per mg methacholine compared to either the post-saline value (DRS(sal)), or the highest FEV(1) (DRS(max)).
Results:
Monday morning, FEV(1) was similar in cases and controls. Over the workweek, FEV(1) and MMEF decreased slightly in both cases and controls (P > 0.10). In contrast, DRS increased in cases and decreased in control subjects (P < 0.10). The difference in % change of DRS was statistically significant after adjustment for smoking and age.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest exaggeration of pre-existent airway inflammation during the workweek in organic waste loaders with regular respiratory symptoms. This needs confirmation in larger studies.
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