Gea de Meer1, Dick Heederik, Inge M Wouters. 1. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Environmental and Occupational Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. G.de.Meer@med.UMCG.nl
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Organic waste workers are exposed to high endotoxin levels that may result in respiratory health effects. This study describes changes in lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness over a workweek in household organic waste loaders. METHODS: Assessment of lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness before and after a workweek in six organic waste loaders with and ten loaders without regular respiratory symptoms. Methacholine responsiveness was expressed as dose-response slope, i.e. % fall in FEV(1) per mg methacholine compared to either the post-saline value (DRS(sal)), or the highest FEV(1) (DRS(max)). RESULTS: Monday morning, FEV(1) was similar in cases and controls. Over the workweek, FEV(1) and MMEF decreased slightly in both cases and controls (P > 0.10). In contrast, DRS increased in cases and decreased in control subjects (P < 0.10). The difference in % change of DRS was statistically significant after adjustment for smoking and age. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest exaggeration of pre-existent airway inflammation during the workweek in organic waste loaders with regular respiratory symptoms. This needs confirmation in larger studies.
OBJECTIVE: Organic waste workers are exposed to high endotoxin levels that may result in respiratory health effects. This study describes changes in lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness over a workweek in household organic waste loaders. METHODS: Assessment of lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness before and after a workweek in six organic waste loaders with and ten loaders without regular respiratory symptoms. Methacholine responsiveness was expressed as dose-response slope, i.e. % fall in FEV(1) per mg methacholine compared to either the post-saline value (DRS(sal)), or the highest FEV(1) (DRS(max)). RESULTS: Monday morning, FEV(1) was similar in cases and controls. Over the workweek, FEV(1) and MMEF decreased slightly in both cases and controls (P > 0.10). In contrast, DRS increased in cases and decreased in control subjects (P < 0.10). The difference in % change of DRS was statistically significant after adjustment for smoking and age. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest exaggeration of pre-existent airway inflammation during the workweek in organic waste loaders with regular respiratory symptoms. This needs confirmation in larger studies.
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