ENDOTOXINS IN THE AIR OF WORKPLACES

Endotoxins are lipopolysaccharide complexes that are integral ports of the outer cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. They are ubiquitous in nature and can also be found in many occupational environments up to concentrations of 40,000 endotoxin units/m(3) (EU/m(3)), e. g. in agri culture, natural products processing facilities, or waste processing. At the workplace the respiratory exposure to airborne dusts containing endotoxins is of special interest. Acute health effects after inhalat ion are cough, decrease in lung function, fever reactions, and malaise . Chronic endotoxin exposure may lead to chronic bronchitis. At presen t no occupational exposure limits have been established. Estimated wer e ''No Effect Levels'' for acute and chronic respiratory effects rangi ng from 90 to 1800 EU/m(3) based on experimental as well as epidemiolo gical studies.