Chip pile workers and mould exposure. A preliminary clinical and hygienic survey

Chip pile workers are exposed to high concentrations of airborne mould spores. Few sporadic cases of allergic alveolitis have been reported in Finland. Eight non-smoking workers, six on chip piles and two on bark piles, were examined to study the immunological and clinical response to continuous mould spore exposure. The spore exposure ranged between 10(4) and 10(5) spores/m3. Three of the six chip pile workers had precipitating serum antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus. The three antibody-positive workers had a tendency to decreased total pulmonary diffusion capacity and vital capacity. Significant respiratory symptoms were not noted. Long-term spore exposure may include an occupational health risk to chip pile workers.