Work-related Symptoms and Asthma among Fish Processing Workers

Abstract

After observing several clinical patients with respiratory symptoms, we initiated a questionnaire survey to assess prevalence of and predictors for asthma and work-related symptoms among workers in fish processing plants. A questionnaire with items on work conditions, work-related symptoms, and respiratory symptoms/diseases was sent to 916 fish processing workers, the 1836 licenced fishermen in Sweden, and 1965 controls; of those, 43%, 57%, and 53%, respectively, responded. Risks, hazard ratios (HRs), and prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated with Cox regression, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. The risk of asthma among fish filleting workers was increased during the years working in the fish processing industry when compared to the other fish processing workers and controls (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-8.1, adjusted for atopy, gender, and ever smoking). The filleters had an increased PR for most of the work-related respiratory symptoms investigated. All fish processing workers had a higher PR for flu-like symptoms. Use of a pressure sprayer was identified as a risk for asthma and respiratory symptoms among both fish processing workers and controls. Filleters had changed work tasks because of respiratory symptoms more often (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.02) than other fish processing workers. In conclusion the fish filleters and pressure sprayer users reported more adult asthma and cough with phlegm compared to the other fish processing workers and controls. The use of pressure sprayers must be reduced and machinery should be completely encased to reduce workers' exposure to bioaerosols and its effects on the respiratory tract.

An ergonomic evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among fish processing workers of Suri

“…while carrying out trimming process. Lack of PPE use can lead to increase the risk of contact with hazards which eventually leads to the increased cuts and burns severity (17)(18)(19).…”

Recent developments in occupational asthma

“…Crab, Anisakis simplex, red soft coral, and cuttlefish were the seafood most frequently responsible of OA. Dahlman-Höglund et al [15 ▪ ] reported that filters had a higher prevalence of OA compared to other fish processing workers and fisherman and their risk of OA increased during the years working in the industry [hazard ratio (HR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–8.1]. Furthermore, the use of a pressure sprayer was identified as a risk factor for developing OA.…”

Occupational inhalant allergy in food handling occupations

“…In the latter study, the risk of asthma among fish filleting workers increased with employment duration in fish processing and the use of pressured sprayers. Filleters were also more likely to change their work tasks due to respiratory symptoms than other fish processing workers [32]. Mason et al used data from the Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease reporting system for 1992-2017 showing an excess incidence of annual OA for UK land-based seafood processors of 70 per 100 000 workers compared to 2.9 in 'all other industries', implicating prawns and salmon/trout processing [33].…”