Respiratory symptoms, lung function and cell surface markers in a group of hemp fiber processors*

Fishwick, David; Allan, L.J.; Wright, Alice; Barber, Chris; Curran, Andrew

doi:10.1002/ajim.1033

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…Occupational exposure to organic dust has been particularly problematic in the hemp processing industry and is a risk factor for the development of work-related respiratory symptoms. (3, 57) Although bacteria and fungi were not quantified in the present study, the sequence data provide preliminary insight to suggest that workers undertaking various occupational tasks could be exposed to a variety of microbial hazards.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Microbial hazards during harvesting and processing at an outdoor United States cannabis farm

Green

Couch

Lemons

et al. 2018

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Cannabis cultivation is an emerging industry within the United States. Organic dust derived in part from naturally occurring microorganisms is known to cause byssinosis in the hemp industry. In this pilot study, bacteria and fungi encountered by workers at an outdoor cannabis farm that utilized organic practices were elucidated by 16 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing, respectively. Area (n = 14) and personal air samples (n = 12) were collected during harvesting and processing activities. 16 S rRNA and ITS regions of extracted bacterial and fungal genomic DNA were amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Bacterial sequencing resolved 1,077 sequences that were clustered into 639 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and predominantly placed in the phylum, Actinobacteria (46%). Personal air samples revealed higher bacterial and Actinobacteria diversity compared to outdoor area samples collected within the facility (p < 0.05). A high degree of dissimilarity between bacteria was identified within and between samples. Fungal sequences (n = 985) were identified and predominantly clustered in the phylum Ascomycota (53%). Of the 216 fungal OTUs elucidated, the cannabis plant pathogenic species, Botrytis cinerea, was the most prevalent and accounted for 34% of all fungal sequences. The relative abundance of B. cinerea was highest in personal air samples (59%) compared to area samples collected in the drying room (19%), greenhouse (18%), and outdoor environment (6%). There was 49% sample similarity between fungi identified within personal air samples, but higher dissimilarity coefficients were observed within and between greenhouse, drying room, and outdoor area air samples. The results of this pilot study suggest that the cannabis farm workers are potentially exposed to Actinobacteria as well as the cannabis plant pathogen, B. cinerea during harvesting, bud-stripping, and hand-trimming processes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Microbial hazards during harvesting and processing at an outdoor United States cannabis farm

Green

Couch

Lemons

et al. 2018

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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“…26 Studies of PM concentrations during hemp manufacturing noted high personal exposure levels ranging from 10.4 to 79.8 mg/m 3 . 27 In contrast, the few studies that measured organic dust in medicinal and recreational cannabis facilities have reported lower exposures on the order of 0.01 to 20.5 mg/m 3 . 28 29 While these concentrations mostly fell below regulatory limits, they varied significantly according to task, with highest levels observed during grinding and sifting of dried plant product.…”

Section: Inhalational Exposures Associated With Cannabis Productionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The Emerging Spectrum of Respiratory Diseases in the U.S. Cannabis Industry

Sack

Simpson

Pacheco

2023

Semin Respir Crit Care Med

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While the cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing job markets in the United States and globally, relatively little is known about the occupational hazards that cannabis production workers face. Based on the closely related hemp industry and preliminary studies from recreational cannabis grow facilities, there is concern for significant respiratory exposures to bioaerosols containing microbial and plant allergens, chemicals such as pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and other irritant gases. Components of the cannabis plant have also recently been identified as allergenic and capable of inducing an immunoglobulin E-mediated response. Accumulating evidence indicates a spectrum of work-related respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and other allergic diseases. Disentangling causal relationships is difficult given the heterogeneity of mixed exposures, diagnostic challenges, and confounding by personal cannabis use. Despite and because of these uncertainties, better regulatory guidance and exposure controls need to be defined in order to reduce the risk of work-related disease.

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“…Reviews suggested that workers at Cannabis cultivation facilities (CCFs) are exposed to organic dust (molds, pollens, bacteria, other allergens, and bioaerosols), VOCs, fungicides, and pesticides . An interview of Cannabis cultivation facilities (CCFs) workers found that 71% presented some work-related symptoms, and the majority of symptoms (65%) was respiratory (76)(77)(78)(79)(80). Workers in indoor cultivation of Cannabis are mostly in contact with "raw" material, whereas consumers are exposed to processed or combusted material (70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80).…”

Section: Volatile Organic Compounds (Vocs) : Adverse Health Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis sativa: Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Affecting Air Quality

Malabadi¹,

Kolkar²,

Chalannavar³

et al. 2023

IJRIAS

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This review paper highlights about the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Cannabis plants. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals harmful to human health that are readily released into the atmosphere and participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions. Floral Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often involved in defence and pollinator attraction. Cannabis cultivation and consumption may lead to additional environmental impacts. Studies found out that Cannabis plants emit a significant amount of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) which could cause indoor air quality issues. Indoor Cannabis cultivation is energy-consuming, mainly due to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting. Energy consumption leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Common compounds to all the tested hemp cultivars include β-myrcene, ϒ-caryophyllene, α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene, reflecting species specificity in the emission of these compounds. β-Myrcene was the most abundant compound in most of the outside hemp cultivars. The terpenes had an earthy musky, and fruity smell may contribute to the odour in Cannabis samples at the vegetative stage, flowering stage, and drying/curing stage. All hemp cultivars are the prolific emitters of terpenoids. The oxidation of highly reactive Biogenic Volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from Cannabis plants can lead to the formation of ozone and secondary Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g., formaldehyde and acrolein). In hemp production, considerable odorous emissions occur during field retting. However, more research is needed to address how outdoor air quality is influenced by Cannabis cultivation facilities (CCFs) emissions.

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Respiratory symptoms, lung function and cell surface markers in a group of hemp fiber processors*

Abstract: Lung function changes and abnormalities in a profile of cell surface activation markers and antibodies were noted to relate to the presence of work-related respiratory symptoms, not seen in the control group.

Cited by 19 publications

References 15 publications

Microbial hazards during harvesting and processing at an outdoor United States cannabis farm

Microbial hazards during harvesting and processing at an outdoor United States cannabis farm

The Emerging Spectrum of Respiratory Diseases in the U.S. Cannabis Industry

Cannabis sativa: Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Affecting Air Quality

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