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Exposure to grain dust and changes in lung function.

A L James¹, M J Zimmerman, H Ee

¹Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia.

British Journal of Industrial Medicine

|July 1, 1990

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Occupational exposure to grain dust causes respiratory symptoms and lung function changes, including increased airway responsiveness, within the first week of work. Higher dust exposure levels correlate with more severe symptoms and lung function decline.

Area of Science:

Occupational Medicine
Pulmonary Medicine
Environmental Health

Background:

Grain handlers are exposed to high levels of airborne dust.
Occupational respiratory diseases are a significant concern in agricultural and industrial settings.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of occupational grain dust exposure on respiratory symptoms and lung function.
To assess the relationship between exposure duration, dust levels, and respiratory health outcomes in grain handlers.

Main Methods:

Assessed respiratory symptoms, forced expired volume in one second (FEV1), and bronchial responsiveness (PD20) in 41 grain handlers and 10 controls.
Measurements were taken weekly over a four-week employment period.
Exposure levels were categorized based on dust concentration (mg/m3).

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Main Results:

Grain handlers reported more work-related respiratory symptoms than controls.
Within one week, grain handlers showed a significant decrease in FEV1 and PD20, indicating lung function impairment and increased airway responsiveness.
Higher dust exposure (>20 mg/m3) was associated with greater symptom frequency and FEV1 decline.
While FEV1 partially recovered, airway responsiveness remained elevated throughout the study period.

Conclusions:

Occupational exposure to grain dust rapidly induces respiratory symptoms and alters lung function, including increased airway responsiveness.
The severity of these effects is dose-dependent, related to the level of dust exposure.
These findings suggest a direct impact of grain dust on the respiratory system, necessitating protective measures for exposed workers.