Exposure and Airway Effects of Seafood Industry Workers in Northern Norway

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2005-05, Vol.47 (5), p.482-492
• Main Authors: Bang, Berit, Aasmoe, Lisbeth, Aamodt, Beate Hustad, Aardal, Laila, Andorsen, Gerd Sissel, Bolle, Roald, Bøe, Roald, Van Do, Thien, Evans, Rosalie, Florvåg, Erik, Gram, Inger Torill, Huser, Per Ole, Kramvik, Eva, Løchen, Maja-Lisa, Pedersen, Bodil, Rasmussen, Tine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Air; Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Environmental pollutants toxicology; Female; Food-Processing Industry - statistics & numerical data; Health Surveys; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Norway - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - immunology; Occupational Diseases - metabolism; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Occupational hazards; Occupational health; ORIGINAL ARTICLES; Prevalence; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Tract Diseases - diagnosis; Respiratory Tract Diseases - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Diseases - immunology; Respiratory Tract Diseases - metabolism; Seafood; Seafood - statistics & numerical data; Seafood - toxicity; Sex Distribution; Toxicology; Workers
• ISSN: 1076-2752; 1536-5948
• DOI: 10.1097/01.jom.0000161732.96555.2b

Objective: In this study, we explored airway symptoms and exposure to bioaerosols and exhaust gase in seafood industry plants. Methods: The study details the results from personal and environmental exposure measurements (17 plants), a questionnaire (n = 984), and clinical examinations (n = 225). Results: The workers were exposed to allergens, endotoxins, molds, and exhaust. The 1-year prevalence of work-related airway symptoms was 42.8% for production workers and 25.9% for administrative workers. Mean levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were less than the predicted values in all exposed nonsmoker groups. A total of 20.5 % had increased levels of total IgE (≥ 100 kU/L). Specific IgE-mediated reactions seemed to be relevant only in the shrimp industry. Conclusions: Seafood industry workers showed a high prevalence of work-related airway symptoms. Further research on the relationship between exposure and effects is necessary.