Lung function consequences of exposure and hypersensitivity in workers who process green coffee beans

Three hundred seventy-two workers were examined at two coffee processing plants in New Orleans. Workplace dust concentrations were relatively low, and respiratory symptom prevalences were not different in various areas of the plants. After controlling for other variables, men with lengthy employment and exposure to dust of green (unroasted) coffee had lower mean residual FEV1 values (regression coefficient, -0.011 L/yr employed, p less than 0.05). Similarly, workers with serum IgE antibodies to green coffee beans had lower mean residual FEV1 (-0.244 L, p less than 0.05). Each effect remained significant after controlling for the other. In a subset that included all workers exposed to green coffee, acute changes in expiratory flow rates were not related to differences in exposure. The finding of adverse impacts of exposure and sensitization, in a work force relatively free of overt asthma, has important implications for worker health protection.