Specific work activities and exposure to respiratory hazards - predictors of lung function impairment among crop farmers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.4641Keywords:
chronic respiratory symptoms, spirometry, crop farming, questionnaire, job activities, respiratory healthAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the specific work activities and occupational exposure to respiratory hazards as predictors of chronic respiratory symptoms development, lung function decline, and respiratory health impairment among crop farmers.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed, including 87 crop farmers (mean age: 53.4 ± 7.8 years; and mean exposure duration: 22.9 ± 7.8 years) and 80 office workers as a control group (mean age: 52.7 ± 8.2 years) matched for age, smoking habits, and socioeconomic status. Subjects were evaluated by a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in the past 12 months and spirometry testing.
RESULTS: Crop farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of cough (41.4), phlegm (28.7%), and dyspnea (21.8%), than controls (p < 0.05). All mean baseline spirometric parameters were lower in crop farmers, but statistical significance was confirmed only for MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75 (p = 0.003, p = 0.000, and p = 0.001, respectively). Most of the respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with common work activities of crop farmers and all-day exposure to certain respiratory hazards. Age, exposure duration, and their combined effect with smoking habit had a significant effect on forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1 and FEV1/forced vital capacity.
CONCLUSION: The results confirm that occupational exposure among crop farmers is associated with higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function decline and, together with specific workflow activities, may not only be a predictors of respiratory health impairment, but also a key tool in the creation of preventive strategies.
Downloads
Metrics
Plum Analytics Artifact Widget Block
References
Respiratory health hazards in agriculture. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998;158(5):S1-S76. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.158.supplement_1.rccm1585s1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.158.supplement_1.rccm1585s1
Stoleski et al. Predictors of Chronic Respiratory Symptoms Development and Lung Functional Impairment among Crop FarmersOpen Access Maced J Med Sci. 2020 Apr 25; 8(E):41-51.49 PMid:9817727 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.4641
Kurppa K, Tammaru E, Kempinen M, Rünkla E, Sõrra J, Lehtinen S. Sectoral network on occupational health and safety in agriculture to support enterprises and family farms in Estonia. Ind Health. 2006;44(1):3-5. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.44.3 PMid:16610524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.44.3
Faria NM, Facchini LA, Fassa AG, Tomasi E. Farm work, dust exposure and respiratory symptoms among farmers. Rev Saude Publica. 2006;40(5):827-36. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-89102005000600016 PMid:17301904 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102005000600016
Ramazzini B, Wright WC. De Morbis Artificum Diatriba 1713. Chicago: Chicago Press; 1940. https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/47.1.114 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/47.1.114
Cuthbert OD, Jeffrey IG, McNeill HB, Wood J, Topping MD. Barn allergy among Scottish farmers. Clin Allergy. 1984;14(2):197-206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.1984.tb02653.x PMid:6705183 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.1984.tb02653.x
Iversen M, Dahl R, Korsgaard J, Hallas T, Jensen EJ. Respiratory symptoms in Danish farmers: An epidemiological study of risk factors. Thorax. 1988;43(11):872-7. https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.43.11.872 PMid:3222758 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.43.11.872
Iversen M, Pedersen B. Relation between respiratory symptoms, type of farming, and lung function disorders in farmers. Thorax. 1990;45(12):919-23. https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.45.12.919 PMid:2281423 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.45.12.919
Linaker C, Smedley J. Respiratory illness in agricultural workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2002;52(8):451-9. PMid:12488515 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/52.8.451
Schenker M. Exposures and health effects from inorganic agricultural dusts. Environ Health Perspect. 2000;108 Suppl 4:661-4. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.00108s4661 PMid:10931784 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.00108s4661
Omland Ø. Exposure and respiratory health in farming in temperate zones-a review of the literature. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2002;9(2):119-36. PMid:12498578
Langley RL. Consequences of respiratory exposures in the farm environment. N C Med J. 2011;72(6):477-80. PMid:22523860 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.72.6.477
Melbostad E, Eduard W, Magnus P. Determinants of asthma in a farming population. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1998;24(4):262-9. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.319 PMid:9754857 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.319
Terho EO, Husman K, Vohlonen I. Prevalence and incidence of chronic bronchitis and farmer’s lung with respect to age, sex, atopy, and smoking. Eur J Respir Dis Suppl. 1987;152:19-28. PMid:3499342
Karadžinska-Bislimovska J, Minov J, Stoleski S, Mijakoski D, Risteska-Kuc S, Milkovska S. Environmental and occupational health risks among agricultural workers living in a rural community near petroleum refinery and motorway in Skopje region. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2010;61(4):415-24. https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2043 PMid:21183433 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2043
Stoleski S, Karadzinska-Bislimovska J, Minov J, Mijakoski D. Current Needs and Future Development in Macedonian Rural Health Policy. Espoo, Finland: International forum on Occupational Health and Safety, Policies, Profiles and Services; 2011. p. 61. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.pa374 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.PA374
Donham KJ. Hazardous agents in agricultural dusts and methods of evaluation. Am J Ind Med. 1986;10(3):205-20. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700100305 PMid: 3532776 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700100305
Mutel C, Doham KJ, Merchant J. Agricultural Respiratory Hazards Education Series. Des Moines: American Lung Association of Iowa; 1986.
Linnainmaa M, Louhelainen K, Eskelinen T. Effect of ventilation on ammonia levels in cowhouses. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1993;54:678-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298669391355224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15298669391355224
Kuchuk AA, Basanets A, Louhelainen K. Bronchopulmonary pathology in workers exposed to organic fodder dust. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2000;7(1):17-23. PMid:10865240
Tarlo SM, Lemiere C. Occupational asthma. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(7):640-9. PMid:24521110 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1301758
Minette A. Questionnaire of the European community for coal and steel (ECSC) on respiratory symptoms. 1987-updating of the 1962 and 1967 questionnaires for studying chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Eur Respir J. 1989;2(2):165-77. PMid:2703044
Variations in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, self-reported asthma attacks, and use of asthma medication in the European community respiratory health survey (ECRHS). Eur Respir J. 1996;9(4):687-95. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.96.09040687 PMid:8726932 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.96.09040687
World Health Organization. Guidelines for Controlling and Monitoring the Tobacco Epidemic. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1998.
Smoking Pack-Years; 2013. Available from: http://www.smokingpackyears.com/calculate. [Last accessed on 2019 Apr 15].
US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A report of the Surgeon General; 1984. Available from: http://www.profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/nnbccs.pdf. [Last accessed on 2019 Mar 16].
Quanjer PH, Tammeling GJ, Cotes JE, Pedersen OF, Peslin R, Yernault JC. Lung volumes and forced ventilatory flows. Report working party standardization of lung function tests, European community for steel and coal. Official statement of the European respiratory society. Eur Respir J Suppl. 1993;16:5-40. https://doi.org/10.1183/09041950.005s1693 PMid:8499054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/09041950.005s1693
Stoleski S, Minov M, Karadzinska-Bislimovska J, Mijakoski D. Chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function in a sample of agricultural workers in Skopje region. Maced J Med Sci. 2014;7(2):327-34. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2014.057
Stoleski S, Minov J, Karadzinska-Bislimovska J, Mijakoski D. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in farmers: Severity and work-relatedness. Maced J Med Sci. 2014;7(3):536-43. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2014.097 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2014.097
Stoleski S, Minov J, Mijakoski D, Karadzinska-Bislimovska J. Chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function in agricultural workers-influence of exposure duration and smoking. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2015(1);3:158-65. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2014.057 PMid:27275215 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2014.057
Bongers P, Houthuijs D, Remijn B, Brouwer R, Biersteker K. Lung function and respiratory symptoms in pig farmers. Br J Ind Med. 1987;44(12):819-23. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.44.12.819 PMid:3689717 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.44.12.819
Karadzinska-Bislimovska J, Minov J, Stoleski S, Mijakoski D, Risteska-Kuc S. Respiratory symptoms, atopic status and lung function tests in agricultural workers. Allergy. 2007;62(83):283. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/267542 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/267542
Terho EO. Work-related respiratory disorders among Finnish farmers. Am J Ind Med. 1990;18(3):269-72. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700180305 PMid:2220830 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700180305
Warren CP, Manfreda J. Respiratory symptoms in Manitoba farmers: Association with grain and hay handling. Can Med Assoc J. 1980;122(11):1259-64. PMid:7388722
Heederik D, Pouwels H, Kromhout H, Kromhout D. Chronic non-specific lung disease and occupational exposures estimated by means of a job exposure matrix: The Zutphen study. Int J Epidemiol. 1989;18(12):382-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/18.2.382 PMid:2767852 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/18.2.382
Kauffmann F, Drouet D, Lellouch J, Brille D. Occupational exposure and 12-year spirometric changes among Paris area workers. Br J Ind Med. 1982;39(3):221-32. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.39.3.221 PMid:7093148 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.39.3.221
Magarolas R, Monsó E, Aguilar X, Radon K, Nowak D, MartÃnez C, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of respiratory symptoms in farmers; comment. Med Clin (Barc). 2000;114(18):685-9. PMid:10916788 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-7753(00)71403-5
Talini D, Monteverdi A, Carrara M, Paggiaro PL. Risk factors for chronic respiratory disorders in a sample of farmers in middle Italy. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2003;59(1):52-5.
Skórska C, Mackiewicz B, Dutkiewicz J, Krysińska-Traczyk E, Milanowski J, Feltovich H, et al. Effects of exposure to grain dust in Polish farmers: Work-related symptoms and immunologic response to microbial antigens associated with dust. Ann Agric Environ Med. 1998;5(2):147-53. PMid:9860817
Chan-Yeung M, Dimich-Ward H, Enarson DA, Kennedy SM. Five cross-sectional studies of grain elevator workers. Am J Epidemiol. 1992;136(10):1269-79. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116435 PMid:1476149 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116435
Kimbell-Dunn MR, Fishwick RD, Bradshaw L, Erkinjuntti-Pekkanen R, Pearce N. Work-related respiratory symptoms in New Zealand farmers. Am J Ind Med. 2001;39(3):292-300. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0274(200103)39:3<292:aid-ajim1017>3.0.co;2-f PMid:11241562 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0274(200103)39:3<292::AID-AJIM1017>3.0.CO;2-F
Radon K, Winter C. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in sheep breeders. Occup Environ Med. 2003;60(10):770-3. PMid:14504366 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.60.10.770
Radon K, Danuser B, Iversen M, Jörres R, Monso E, Opravil U, et al. Respiratory symptoms in European animal farmers. Eur Respir J. 2001;17(4):747-54. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.01.17407470 PMid:11401073
Danuser B, Weber C, Künzli N, Schindler C, Nowak D. Respiratory symptoms in Swiss farmers: An epidemiological study of risk factors. Am J Ind Med. 2001;39(4):410-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.1032 PMid:11323791 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.1032
Kern J, Mustajbegovic J, Schachter EN, Zuskin E, Vrcic-Keglevic M, Ebling Z, et al. Respiratory findings in farmworkers. J Occup Environ Med. 2001;43(10):905-13. https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-200110000-00010 PMid:11665460 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-200110000-00010
Talini D, Monteverdi A, Benvenuti A, Petrozzino M, Di Pede F, Lemmi M, et al. Asthma-like symptoms, atopy, and bronchial responsiveness in furniture workers. Occup Environ Med. 1998;55(11):786-91. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.55.11.786 PMID: 9924457 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.55.11.786
Omland O, Sigsgaard T, Pedersen OF, Miller MR. The shape of the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve reflects exposure in farming. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2000;7(2):71-8. PMid:11153034
Zock JP, Sunyer J, Kogevinas M, Kromhout H, Burney P, Antó JM. Occupation, chronic bronchitis, and lung function in young adults. An international study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;163(7):1572-7. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.163.7.2004195 PMid:11401876 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.163.7.2004195
Zuskin E, Mustajbegovic J, Schachter EN, Doko-Jelinic J. Respiratory function of textile workers employed in dyeing cotton and wool fibres. Am J Ind Med. 1997;31(3):344-52. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199703)31:3<344:aid-ajim11>3.0.co;2-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199703)31:3<344::AID-AJIM11>3.0.CO;2-0
Ulvestad B, Bakke B, Eduard W, Kongerud J, Lund MB. Cumulative exposure to dust causes accelerated decline in lung function in tunnel workers. Occup Environ Med. 2001;58(10):663-9. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.58.10.663 PMid:11555688 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.58.10.663
Janson C, Anto J, Burney P, Chinn S, de Marco R, Heinrich J, et al. The European community respiratory health survey: What are the main results so far? European community respiratory health survey II. Eur Respir J. 2001;18(3):598-611. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.01.00205801 PMid:11589359 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.01.00205801
Dosman JA, Graham BL, Hall D, Van Loon P, Bhasin P, Froh F. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in farmers. J Occup Med. 1987;29(1):38-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700170111 PMid:3819883 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700170111
Huy T, De Schipper K, Chan-Yeung M, Kennedy SM. Grain dust and lung function. Dose-response relationships. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1991;144(6):1314-21. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/144.6.1314 PMid:1741544 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/144.6.1314
Corey P, Hutcheon M, Broder I, Mintz S. Grain elevator workers show work-related pulmonary function changes and dose-effect relationships with dust exposure. Br J Ind Med. 1982;39(4):330-7. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.39.4.330 PMid:7138793 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.39.4.330
Enarson DA, Vedal S, Chan-Yeung M. Rapid decline in FEV1 in grain handlers. Relation to level of dust exposure. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1985;132(4):814-7. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/138.6.1584 PMid:4051318 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/138.6.1584
Dalphin JC, Pernet D, Dubiez A, Debieuvre D, Allemand H, Depierre A. Etiologic factors of chronic bronchitis in dairy farmers. Case control study in the Doubs region of France. Chest. 1993;103(2):417-21. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.103.2.417 PMid:8432130 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.103.2.417
Djuricić S, Minić P, Radovanović S, Babić DD, Gavrilov M. Basic spirometry measurements in workers on pig farmers. Srp Arh Celok Lek. 2004;132(3-4):85-91. https://doi.org/10.2298/sarh0404085d PMid:15307309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH0404085D
Dalphin JC, Dubiez A, Monnet E, Gora D, Westeel V, Pernet D, et al. Prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in dairy farmers in the French province of the Doubs. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998;158(5):1493-8. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.158.5.9709108 PMid:9817698 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.158.5.9709108
Tashkin DP, Detels R, Simmons M, Liu H, Coulson AH, Sayre J, et al. The UCLA population studies of chronic obstructive respiratory disease: XI. Impact of air pollution and smoking on annual change in forced expiratory volume in one second. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1994;149(5):1209-17. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.149.5.8173761 PMid:8173761 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.149.5.8173761
Sigsgaard T, Hjort C, Omland Ø, Miller MR, Pedersen OF. Respiratory health and allergy among young farmers and non-farming rural males in Denmark: The SUS study. J Agromedicine. 2004;9(2):223-38. https://doi.org/10.1300/j096v04n01_09 PMid:19785218 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J096v04n01_09
Gautrin D, Ghezzo H, Infante-Rivard C, Malo JL. Incidence and host determinants of work-related rhinoconjunctivitis in apprentice pastry-makers. Allergy. 2002;57(10):913-8. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.23636.x PMid:12269937 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.23636.x
Eduard W, Pearce N, Douwes J. Chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung function in farmers: The role of biological agents. Chest. 2009;136(3):716-25. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.08-2192 PMid:19318669 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.08-2192
Husman K, Koskenvuo M, Kaprio J, Terho EO, Vohlonen I. Role of environment in the development of chronic bronchitis. Eur J Respir Dis Suppl. 1987;152:57-63. PMid:3499347
Hashemi N, Mirsadraee M, Shakeri MT, Varasteh AR. Prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms in Iranian farmers. Can Respir J. 2006;13(4):198-202. https://doi.org/10.1155/2006/967895 PMid:16779464 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2006/967895
Koceva I. Respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months, spirometric parameters, and ventilatory function in agricultural workers. In: Book of Abstracts, Second Macedonian Congress of Occupational Medicine with International Participation, Skopje; 2016.
Kirkhorn SR, Schenker MB. Current health effects of agricultural work: Respiratory disease, cancer, reproductive effects, musculoskeletal injuries, and pesticide-related illnesses. J Agric Saf Health. 2002;8(2):199-214. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.8432 PMid:12046806 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.8432
Radon K, Monso E, Weber C, Danuser B, Iversen M, Opravil U, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for airway diseases in farmers-summary of results of the European farmers’ project. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2002;9(2):207-13. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.01.17407470 PMid:12498590 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.01.17407470
Rachiotis G, Savani R, Brant A, MacNeill SJ, Newman Taylor A, Cullinan P. Outcome of occupational asthma after cessation of exposure: A systematic review. Thorax. 2007;62(2):147-52. https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2006.061952 PMid:17040933 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2006.061952
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2020 Sasho Stoleski, Jordan Minov, Dragan Mijakoski, Aneta Atanasovska, Dragana Bislimovska, Jovanka Karadzinska-Bislimovska (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
