Acute Changes in Lung Function in Farmers Exposed to Grain Dust
1999
As reported from previous cross-sectional studies, grain farmers have increased
prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lower lung function values than do rural-dwelling,
non-farming men (Dosman et al., 1987). A pilot study was conducted to
determine acute changes in lung function in farmers exposed to high level of dust
during shoveling cereal grain (composed of wheat, barley, oats, and canola seed) in a
grain storage facility (granary). Twenty-two male grain farmers (mean age ± S.D., 39.8
± 10.5 years) and 22 age-matched, non-exposed control subjects (39.7 ± 10.5 years)
participated in the study. Grain farmers and control subjects were similar in height,
weight, and smoking habits. Prior to shoveling grain in the granary, farmers completed
a respiratory questionnaire and had spirometry measurements taken by a technician.
Following shoveling grain, farmers had repeat spirometry and completed a
questionnaire ascertaining acute symptoms. Two spirometry measurements were also
made on control subjects. The mean time period between two spirometry
measurements in control subjects (107.2 ± 38.5 min) was greater than was the mean
time between measurements for men shoveling for grain (76.0 ± 29.8 min). The
exposed grain farmers had a greater period change in lung function measurements in
comparison to the control subjects. Similar results were observed after allowing for the
differences in the time period between two sequential spirometry measurements in the
grain farmers and control subjects. Mean acute respiratory symptom scores were
significantly greater in the exposed grain farmers than in the control subjects. Further
studies are required to examine the physiological mechanisms of changes in lung
function in farmers acutely exposed to grain dust.
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