Exposure to bioaerosols, respiratory health and lung-specific proteins: a prospective study in garbage and wastewater workers

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2011-11, Vol.68 (11), p.856-859
• Main Authors: Tschopp, Alois, Bernard, Alfred, Thommen, Annette M, Jeggli, Stefan, Dumont, Xavier, Oppliger, Anne, Hotz, Philipp
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Airborne microorganisms; Asthma; Bias; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchitis; Case-Control Studies; endotoxins; Environmental pollutants toxicology; epidemiology; Exertion; Forced Expiratory Volume; garbage; Humans; Inhalation Exposure - analysis; longitudinal studies; lung function; Lungs; Medical sciences; Occupational Exposure - analysis; organic dusts; Participation; Patient assessment; Plants; Prospective Studies; Proteins; pulmonary surfactant-associated proteins; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins - blood; Refuse; Refuse Disposal; respiratory; Respiratory symptoms; Sanitation services; Sanitation workers; Sewage; Short report; Smoking; Spirometry; Surfactants; Toxicology; Uteroglobin - blood; Variables; Vital Capacity; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastewater; Water; Workers; Working conditions
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.2010.060178

ObjectivesTo prospectively assess respiratory health in wastewater workers and garbage collectors over 5 years.MethodsExposure, respiratory symptoms and conditions, spirometry and lung-specific proteins were assessed yearly in a cohort of 304 controls, 247 wastewater workers and 52 garbage collectors. Results were analysed with random coefficient models and linear regression taking into account several potential confounders.ResultsSymptoms, spirometry and lung-specific proteins were not affected by occupational exposure.ConclusionsIn this population no effects of occupational exposure to bioaerosols were found, probably because of good working conditions.