Sources of respiratory insult in the poultry processing industry

Although the agricultural community has focused a great deal of attention on improving the overall health of poultry for production purposes, the health of poultry workers has, by comparison, received less direct attention. Recent studies suggest that poultry workers who come in direct contact with live birds may be at risk of pulmonary dysfunction, including the development of chronic respiratory diseases. Exposure of poultry workers to live birds results in potential pulmonary insult from a variety of allergenic and immunologic agents, as well as nuisance dust particles. In addition, marked levels of gram-negative bacterial endotoxins and antibiotic-resistant bacteria contaminate the occupational environment. Health care professionals should be aware of the potential sources of respiratory insult to workers in poultry processing and related industries.