[Pollution by mites and/or mold spores in work environments and the risk of occupational respiratory pathology]

In recent years the measurement of mold spore concentrations in working environments where workers spend long periods of time has acquired considerable importance because of the diffusion of diseases caused by fungi. On this basis, the aim of the research was to evaluate the level of environmental fungal pollution and contamination by mites in three factories producing seasoned foods, i.e., hams, sausages and cheeses. We also studied the occurrence of fungal species in the upper respiratory tract of workers operating in the washing and brushing areas, which was compared with the environmental concentrations in these areas, where contamination with fungal spores was visibly high. The results showed high and widespread fungal pollution in most of the working environments sampled and a significant presence of the same species in the upper respiratory tract of the workers. The data obtained indicate that the environments sampled can constitute a possible health risk factor for workers.