Respiratory symptoms in insect breeders

Abstract

Exposure to organic dusts below the levels for which there are UK workplace exposure limits can result in respiratory symptoms and sensitization. The results should alert those responsible for the health of similarly exposed workers to the potential for respiratory ill-health and the need to provide a suitable health surveillance programme.

The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review

“…Therefore, even when entomologists do not experience symptoms, it is important that appropriate occupational management strategies be employed to avoid sensitisation, and future allergic reactions. As was reported in a number of studies in this review, it could take weeks to 28 years for symptoms to appear (Bagenstose et al, 1980;Frankland, 1953;Kaufman et al, 1986Kaufman et al, , 1989Lugo et al, 1994;Lunn and Hughes, 1967;Monk, 1988;Schroeckenstein et al, 1988;Solley and Hyatt, 1980;Steinberg et al, 1987;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967;Tee et al, 1985), and in many cases symptoms increased over time (Bagenstose et al, 1980;Harris-Roberts et al, 2011;Frankland, 1953;Kaufman et al, 1986;Lunn and Hughes, 1967;Schroeckenstein et al, 1988;Soparkar et al, 1993;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967) or with subsequent stings/bites (Bush et al, 2001;Roll and SchmidGrendelmeier, 2005;Stern et al, 2000;Stevens et al, 1996), indicating that sensitisation had occurred. Kaufmann et al's (1989) observational, cross-sectional study revealed promising findings regarding the implementation of various occupational management strategies including protective clothing, using respirators and local air extractor systems.…”

“…In most cases, the allergens were from the insect with which they worked; however there were two reports of entomologists being allergic to arthropod feed, in addition to the arthropods with which they worked (Bagenstose et al, 1980;Harris-Roberts et al, 2011), and another case in which the entomologist had no allergy to the Diabrotica spp. they were working with, but Penicillium which was within the laboratory (Solley and Hyatt, 1980).…”

“…Furthermore, those with known allergies to insects are unlikely to enter the field of entomology, and workers and students who experience allergies may cease working in the field, as evident in some of the studies included in this review (Kaufman et al, 1989;Monk, 1988;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967); hence cross-sectional designs, as were used in the studies included in this review, are susceptible to 'healthy worker bias', which may under-estimate the extent of the problem. Additionally, the two studies comparing entomologists with other populations (Burge et al, 1980;Harris-Roberts et al, 2011) investigated only the presence of allergies, not the frequency, severity, or impact of the allergic reaction; hence these comparisons do not provide an in-depth analysis of the problem.…”

“…in the field (Foy Included studies from the database search n=41 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Allergic reactions were associated with exposure to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Araneae, Blattodea, Orthoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Ixodidae, Trombidiformes, Hemiptera, Isoptera, Neuroptera, Sarcoptiformes and Mesostigmata. In some cases entomologists were also allergic to the arthropod feed in addition to the arthropods they were working with (Bagenstose et al, 1980;Harris-Roberts et al, 2011), with one case reported whereby the entomologist had no allergy to the Diabrotica spp. with which they worked, but Penicillium which was within the laboratory.…”

“…A number of entomologists either transferred to other areas to minimise contact with the allergens (Frankland, 1953;Harris-Roberts et al, 2011;Kaufman et al, 1986;Lunn and Hughes, 1967;Solley and Hyatt, 1980;Tee et al, 1985), or terminated their employment (Kaufman et al, 1989;Monk, 1988;Stevenson and Mathews, 1967). In one case (Stevenson and Mathews,, 1967) this was not sufficient to resolve his symptoms, as it was revealed he had worn his dirty work clothes home with him, and later he tested positive to dust from the rugs, mattress and stuffed furniture within his home, indicating that he had brought the allergens home on his clothing (Stevenson and Mathews, 1967).…”