Abstract
Airborne concentrations of viablemicroorganisms and bacterial endotoxin were determinedduring 10 intramural agricultural activities includinghandling or processing of 6 kinds of vegetableproducts: grain, hay, horticulture seeds, herbs, flaxand potatoes. The median values of the concentrationof total viable microorganisms (bacteria + fungi)were within a range from 43.2 × 103 CFU/m3at potato processing to 1240.0 × 103 CFU/m3in small granaries, exceeding in 9 out of 10 cases thelevel of 105 CFU/m3 suggested as aoccupational exposure limit (OEL). Many of theisolated bacteria and fungi were reported asallergenic and/or immunotoxic agents. The medianvalues of the endotoxin concentration ranged from0.0125 μg/m3 at handling hay to54.9 μg/m3 at crushing grain, exceeding in 5out of 7 cases the suggested OEL of0.1 μg/m3. The high levels of exposure toairborne microorganisms and endotoxin found by thisstudy indicate a potential risk of occupationalrespiratory disorders among agricultural workers, mostly in those handling grain.
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Dutkiewicz, J., Krysińska-Traczyk, E., Skórska, C. et al. Exposure of agricultural workers to airborne microorganisms and endotoxin during handling of various vegetable products. Aerobiologia 16, 193–198 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007686910001
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007686910001