Experimental human exposure to inhaled grain dust and ammonia: towards a model of concentrated animal feeding operations

American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Sigurdur T SigurdarsonJoel N Kline

Abstract

Ammonia and endotoxin-rich dust are present in high concentrations in swine confinement facilities; exposure to this environment is linked to workers' respiratory problems. We hypothesized that experimental exposure to ammonia and dust would impair pulmonary function, and that these exposures would be synergistic. We exposed six normal subjects and eight subjects with mild asthma to ammonia (16-25 ppm) and/or endotoxin-rich grain dust (4 mg/m3). Pulmonary function and exhaled NOx were measured before and after exposure. There was no significant change in pulmonary function in the normal subjects following any of the exposure conditions. Among asthmatics, a significant transient decrease in FEV1 was induced by grain dust, but was not altered by ammonia; increased bronchial hyperreactivity was also noted in this group. In a vulnerable population, exposure to grain dust results in transient airflow obstruction. Short-term exposure to ammonia does not increase this response.

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Citations

Oct 12, 2013·Environmental Science & Technology·Jessica K Leet, David C Volz
Oct 28, 2008·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Jin Ho BangKenneth S Suslick
Jun 4, 2005·Respiratory Research·Chandrashekhar CharavaryamathBaljit Singh
Feb 3, 2016·International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·Christel E van DijkJan-Paul Zock
Aug 8, 2015·The European Respiratory Journal·Floor BorléeLidwien A M Smit
Feb 6, 2015·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·Maria T Stoecklin-MaroisMarc B Schenker
Feb 9, 2017·Cell and Tissue Research·Ram S SethiBaljit Singh

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