ENDOTOXIN EXPOSURE AS A MAJOR DETERMINANT OF LUNG-FUNCTION DECLINE INPIG FARMERS

Exposure-response relationships for endotoxin as measured in dust and longitudinal decline in lung function were studied. A cohort of 171 pi g farmers was followed over a 3-yr period. Long-term average exposure to dust and endotoxin was determined by personal monitoring in summer and winter, using data on farm characteristics and activities. Mean de cline in FEV, was 73 ml/yr and in FVC 55 ml/yr. Long-term average expo sure to dust was 2.63 mg/m(3) (geometric SD [CSD] 1.30), and to endoto xin, 105 ng/m(3) (CSD 1.5). Annual decline in FEV1 was significantly a ssociated with endotoxin exposure. An increase in exposure with a fact or 2 was associated with an extra decline of FEV1 of 19 ml/yr.