Respiratory symptoms and farming practices in farmers associated with an acute febrile illness after organic dust exposure

Study objective: To conduct a preliminary study of occupational respiratory complaints in farmers who have experienced organic dust toxic syndrome (OD TS) symptoms. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: An agricultural trade show. Intervention: None. Measurement. and results: Two hundred ninety-seven people (204 men, 93 wome n) completed a questionnaire about agricultural practices, respiratory heal th (including history of febrile episodes while handling grain), and use of respirators. Spirometry was also performed. ODTS symptoms were described b y 107 of the people (36%). A strong significant association was found betwe en ODTS and cough or chest tightness after handling grain (odds ratio [OR], 7.5; 95% confidence ratio [CI], 4.2 to 13.5). People who experienced cough or chest tightness after handling grain were more likely to report handlin g grain sorghum than people who had not experienced cough or chest tighteni ng after handling grain (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.5). The strong associati on seen between ODTS and frequent use of a respirator while working in grai n bins (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.6 to 9.4) may indicate that farmers began using respirators after respiratory symptoms developed. Conclusions: Having a history consistent with ODTS exposure mas very common in the farmers sun eyed. Farmers who had a history consistent with ODTS we re more likely to report cough or chest tightness with handling grain. Expo sure to grain sorghum was more likely to be associated with respiratory sym ptoms than was exposure to other types of grain. There is a need for additi onal studies to further examine the relationship between ODTS and respirato ry symptoms with grain dust exposure in farmers.