Health effects of organic dusts in the farm environment. Report on diseases

Specific diseases associated with the agricultural environment were identified as allergic rhinitis and asthma, pneumonitis/alveolitis, the organic dust toxic syndrome and bronchitis. Diagnostic criteria were formulated and current research techniques, in terms of epidemiological studies were outlined. The workgroup summarized a priority for epidemiological studies to evaluate the incidence of the different diseases as well as the identification of predisposing host and environmental factors.