Respiratory health of California rice farmers.

Abstract

Rice farmers are occupationally exposed to agents that may affect respiratory health, including inorganic dusts and smoke from burning of agricultural waste. To assess respiratory health of this occupational group, we conducted a cross-sectional study, including a self-administered health and work questionnaire, spirometry, and chest radiography among 464 male California rice farmers. Mean age +/- SD was 48.3 +/- 15.2 yr; mean duration of rice farming was 25.7 +/- 14.3 yr. Prevalences for respiratory symptoms were: chronic bronchitis (6.3%), physician-diagnosed asthma (7.1%), and persistent wheeze (8.8%). Chronic cough was reported by 7.1% of respondents and was associated with reported hours per year burning rice stubble. Mean FEV1 and FVC were at expected values. FEV1 was inversely associated with years working in rice storage and use of heated rice dryers. Mean FEF25-75 was 93% of expected and was inversely associated with rice storage activities involving unheated rice driers. ILO profusion scores > or = 1/0 for small irregular opacities were seen in 18 (10.1%) of 178 chest radiographs. Study findings suggest increased asthma prevalence among California rice farmers. Radiologic findings consistent with dust or fiber exposure were increased compared with those of the general population, although no associations with specific farming activities were identified.

Exposures and Health Effects from Inorganic Agricultural Dusts

“…1/0) in 10. 1% of the population, but X rays were done on a subset of a larger, convenience sample (40).…”

Agricultural Lung Diseases

“…Moreover, these operations, and production farming in general, are relatively unregulated, as the majority have fewer than 10 employees per employer unit and do not come under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) jurisdiction (3). All these factors make measurement difficult of the true extent of agricultural-related respiratory injury and morbidity.…”

Symptoms of Respiratory Health Problems in Rice Mill Workers of Bangladesh

“…Cough is the predictor and precursor symptom of all respiratory problems and is a respiratory reflexive physiology. More prevalence of cough among grain workers had been mentioned in all most all studies except a few like Deacon S P et al and Mc Cyrd SA et al studies 28,29 . In our study, aggravation of cough symptom more in winter rather than during the working hours and busy working season indicates more seasonal influence than to the dust exposure.…”