Inhalation fever and respiratory symptoms in the trimming department of swedish sawmills

Rask‐Andersen, Anna; Land, Carl Johan; Enlund, Karin; Lundin, Åsa

doi:10.1002/ajim.4700250117

Cited by 21 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…These findings are in line with other studies, which have found that HP-symptoms among wood trimmers are frequently reported, 5,13 but cases of severe HP are rare. 13 To our knowledge, this is the first study that included quantitative assessment of the suspected antigen/allergen during follow-up. An alternative hypothesis to explain the respiratory symptoms experienced by the employees would be that they had experienced organic toxic dust syndrome (ODTS) rather than acute episodes of HP.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a cluster of sawmill workers: a 10-year follow-up of exposure, symptoms, and lung function

Færden

Lund

Aaløkken

et al. 2014

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Background: The long-term prognosis of repeated acute episodes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is not well described. We report on a 10-year follow-up of a 10-person cluster from a Norwegian sawmill who had all experienced relapsing episodes of HP. Objectives: To evaluate the health symptoms, work-related sick-leave, and lung function of 10 workers exposed to mold in a Norwegian sawmill. Methods: Participants were evaluated at baseline and 10 years later at follow-up. A structured interview, measurement of serum IgG antibodies to Rhizopus microsporus (R. microsporus) antigens, lung function tests, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, and personal measurements of exposure to mold spores and dust were completed for each participant. Results: At baseline, nearly all workers reported acute episodes of HP more than twice a month. At followup, both the frequency and intensity of symptoms had declined. Sick-leave was reduced and gas diffusing capacity improved -paralleling the gradually reduced air levels of mold spores. Conclusions: In spite of an initially high occurrence of symptoms, long-term clinical and physiological outcome was good. With reduced exposure to mold spores, symptoms declined and lung function was restored.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a cluster of sawmill workers: a 10-year follow-up of exposure, symptoms, and lung function

Færden

Lund

Aaløkken

et al. 2014

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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“…The raw material is usually kept dry and is turned over relatively quickly, which decreases the risk of mold growth. Mold-contaminated raw material was not found during the visits at the plants, and nobody reported febrile attacks, which may appear at high exposure to molds—so-called inhalation fever (42,43). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in relation to wood dust and monoterpene exposure in the wood pellet industry

Löfstedt

Hagström

Bryngelsson

et al. 2017

Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences

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IntroductionWood pellets are used as a source of renewable energy for heating purposes. Common exposures are wood dust and monoterpenes, which are known to be hazardous for the airways. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of occupational exposure on respiratory health in wood pellet workers.Materials and methodsThirty-nine men working with wood pellet production at six plants were investigated with a questionnaire, medical examination, allergy screening, spirometry, and nasal peak expiratory flow (nasal PEF). Exposure to wood dust and monoterpenes was measured.ResultsThe wood pellet workers reported a higher frequency of nasal symptoms, dry cough, and asthma medication compared to controls from the general population. There were no differences in nasal PEF between work and leisure time. A lower lung function than expected (vital capacity [VC], 95%; forced vital capacity in 1 second [FEV1], 96% of predicted) was noted, but no changes were noted during shifts. There was no correlation between lung function and years working in pellet production. Personal measurements of wood dust at work showed high concentrations (0.16–19 mg/m3), and exposure peaks when performing certain work tasks. Levels of monoterpenes were low (0.64–28 mg/m3). There was no association between exposure and acute lung function effects.ConclusionsIn this study of wood pellet workers, high levels of wood dust were observed, and that may have influenced the airways negatively as the study group reported upper airway symptoms and dry cough more frequently than expected. The wood pellet workers had both a lower VC and FEV1 than expected. No cross-shift changes were found.

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“…In addition to sino-nasal cancer [IARC, 1995], exposure to dust of both hard (broad-leaved trees or Angiosperms) and softwood (conifers or Gymnosperms) has been shown to be associated with upper and lower respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function, increased bronchial responsiveness, occupational asthma, and eye and nose irritations [ChanYeung et al, 1984;Shamssain, 1992;Malo et al, 1994;Rask-Andersen et al, 1994;Hessel et al, 1995;Malmberg et al, 1996;Noertjojo et al, 1996;Demers et al, 1997]. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear, and in case of Western red cedar asthma both allergic and nonallergic mechanisms have been suggested [Chan-Yeung, 1982, 1994Frew et al, 1998].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asthma and other respiratory symptoms in New Zealand pine processing sawmill workers

Douwes

McLean

Slater

et al. 2001

American J Industrial Med

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Inhalation fever and respiratory symptoms in the trimming department of swedish sawmills

Cited by 21 publications

References 2 publications

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a cluster of sawmill workers: a 10-year follow-up of exposure, symptoms, and lung function

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a cluster of sawmill workers: a 10-year follow-up of exposure, symptoms, and lung function

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in relation to wood dust and monoterpene exposure in the wood pellet industry

Asthma and other respiratory symptoms in New Zealand pine processing sawmill workers

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