M. Gassner et T. Spuhler, WHY ARE DEATHS FROM LUNG-DISEASES MORE FR EQUENT AMONG THE FARMING POPULATION, Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift, 125(14), 1995, pp. 667-675
During the period 1988-1992 deaths from lung diseases were more freque
nt among the farming population according to Swiss mortality data. The
age-standardized proportional mortality rate (PMR) is 127 for all the
lung diseases (ICD-8 460-519), 140 for bronchitis and asthma (ICD-8 4
90-493), 137 for asthma alone (ICD-8 493) and 841 for pneumoconiosis d
ue to organic dust (ICD-8 516.1+.2). Stock-farmers showed a mortality
pattern for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease opposite to that of
vegetable farmers and wine-growers. This increased mortality among far
mers is paradoxical in the light of the more frequent tolerance for ae
roallergens among the children of farmers, the conservative style of h
ousing and living as well as received ideas about working in natural a
nd therefore healthy air. Insufficient knowledge of the multifactorial
risks of natural pathogenic organic substances and of dangerous work
are just as important for the pathogenesis of these diseases and death
s as the changed social and cultural values with the consequences on i
nsurance policy. These factors affect optimal prophylaxis (limitation
of air pollution, safety measures, job change and measures in order to
achieve adequate social security).