LUNG-FUNCTION CHANGES AMONG RECYCLING WORKERS EXPOSED TO ORGANIC DUST

This study examines the workshift changes in lung function among 99 re cycling workers, and correlates these findings with measurements of to tal dust and endotoxins. Exposure to organic dust caused a fall in FEV (1) over the workshift, and this was significantly associated with the exposure to organic dust. No significant association was found betwee n endotoxin exposure and lung function decrements. This lack of associ ation could be due to the low concentrations of endotoxins to which th e workers were exposed, as no workers were exposed to more than 100 ng /m(3). (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.