Organic dust-related respiratory and eye irritation in Norwegian farmers

Background Information on exposure to organic dust and work-related symptom s in farmers is sparse. Methods An exposure study was nested in a survey of 8,482 farmers and spous es. Task-related respiratory and eye symptoms were recorded by questionnair e Personal exposure to total dust, fungal spores, bacteria, endotoxins, and ammonia during 12 different tasks was measured in a random sample of 127 f arms (288 measurements). Results The prevalence of work-related symptoms occurring "often" was 31% a nd "seldom" 35%. Specific tasks provoking symptoms were reported by 5-55% o f the farmers. Task mean exposures ranged from 0.04 to 2 mg dust/m(3). 0.02 x 10(6) to 2 x 10(6) fungal spores/m(3), 0.2 x 10(6) to 48 x 10(6) bacteri a/m(3), 0.5 x 10(3) to 28 x 10(3) endotoxin units/m(3), and 0 to 8 ppm ammo nia. Task mean exposure levels were positively correlated with task-specifi c symptom prevalences for total dust, fungal spores, and endotoxins but not for bacteria and ammonia. Conclusion Work-related symptoms are common in farmers and are associated w ith exposure to total dust, fungal spores, and endotoxins. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39.209-217, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.