Environmental and health studies in swine confinement buildings

Abstract

A study was performed to assess medical symptoms and pulmonary function among persons working in 30 swine confinement buildings on 28 farms. Data were taken from 57 persons working on these farms and on 55 matched controls.Health data collected included an interview for occupational history, health history, and disease symptoms. Pulmonary function testing was done before and after a daily work period [Ferris, 1978; Gardner, 19791, and a blood sample was collected to test for antibodies to agents in the work environment pelin et al, 19851. The questionnaire used for the interview consisted of two parts. The first part asked for specific symptoms (primarily respiratory symptoms) that the workers attributed directly to their work in swine stables. These questions were asked both before and after the work shift. The first part of the questionnaire was compiled from two separate questionnaires that had been used extensively in previous farm health studies [Donham and Gustafsson, 1982; Donham et al, 1984 a,b, Donham et al, 1986; Kolmodin-Hedman et al, manuscript in preparation]. The second part consisted of the complete American Thoracic Society (ATS) Epidemiology Standardization Project questionnaire [Ferris, 19781, which had been translated into Swedish.The questionnaire had also been used extensively in a similar study in Iowa. The second part of the questionnaire was also used to interview controls, who were farmers or farm workers from the same geographical area, who worked in any type of farming except swine or poultry buildings. These controls were matched to the swine farm workers by age (+5 years), sex, and smoking history (f5 cigarette pack years). Figure 1 summarizes some of the significant findings from the first part of the questionnaire interview. Bronchitis symptoms were very commonly reported, with 60% reporting cough and 40% reporting cough with phlegm. Symptoms of bronchoconstriction were reported by 28% of the workers. Eye, nose, and throat irritation

Characterization of exposure to molds and actinomycetes in agricultural dusts by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and the culture method.

“…The air samples from swine confinement buildings are dominated by large organic particles of different origin, and the microorganisms are less conspicuous. Many of th e microorganisms are small, and therefore indicate the presence of either actinomycetes or bacteria, and they ma y stick to other organic particles (17).…”

Feedlot dust stimulation of interleukin-6 and -8 requires protein kinase Cε in human bronchial epithelial cells

“…feedlot dust extract CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS (CAFOs) generate inhalable dusts that are the focus of numerous health concerns (6,10,23,26). Such airborne dusts include endotoxin and other microbial products as well as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and a variety of volatile organic compounds (6).…”

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“…4 A previous epidemiological study of agricultural workers in the Netherlands mdicated that pig farmers have the greatest number of worker-related health complaints compared with other farmers. 5 Most of the complaints are related to respiratory problems such as coughing, shortness of breath and asthma symptoms.…”