rss
Occup Environ Med 2007;64:75-81 doi:10.1136/oem.2005.026203
  • Original article

Respiratory symptoms and bronchial responsiveness among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food industry

  1. N Massin1,
  2. G Hecht2,
  3. D Ambroise1,
  4. M Héry3,
  5. J P Toamain1,
  6. G Hubert2,
  7. M Dorotte4,
  8. B Bianchi4
  1. 1Department of Occupational Epidemiology, Institut National de Recherche et Sécurité, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
  2. 2Process Engineering Department, Institut National de Recherche et Sécurité, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
  3. 3Scientific Direction, Institut National de Recherche et Sécurité, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
  4. 4Eastern Interregional Chemical Laboratory, Institut National de Recherche et Sécurité, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr N Massin
 INRS Département Epidémiologie en Entreprise, BP 27, Avenue de Bourgogne, 54501 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France; nicole.massin{at}inrs.fr
  • Accepted 1 August 2006
  • Published Online First 14 September 2006

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the levels of exposure to nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) and aldehydes among cleaning and disinfecting workers in the atmosphere of food industry plants during cleaning and disinfecting operations, and to examine how they relate to irritant and chronic respiratory symptoms—which are indices of pulmonary function—and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine.

Methods: 175 exposed workers (M = 149; F = 26) recruited from 17 enterprises of the food industry (8 cattle, pig, and ovine slaughterhouses, 8 fowl slaughterhouses, and 1 catering firm) and 70 non-exposed workers (M = 52; F = 18) were examined. Concentration levels of NCl3 and aldhehydes were measured by personal sampling. Symptoms were assessed by means of a questionnaire and the methacholine bronchial challenge (MBC) test using an abbreviated method. Subjects were labelled MBC+ if forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) fell by 20% or more. The linear dose-response slope (DRS) was calculated as the percentage fall in FEV1 at last dose divided by the total dose administered.

Results: 277 air samples were taken in the 17 food industry plants. For a given plant and in a given workshop, the actual concentrations of chloramines, aldehydes, and quaternary ammonium compounds were measured with personal samplers during the different steps of the procedures. For each cleaner, a total exposure index Σ was calculated. A statistically significant concentration-response relationship was found between eye, nasal, and throat symptoms of irritation—but not chronic respiratory symptoms—and exposure levels or exposure duration. No relation was found between BHR and exposure.

Conclusions: These data show that cleaning and disinfecting workers in the food industry are at risk of developing eye, nasal, and throat irritation symptoms. Although NCl3 exposure does not seem to carry a risk of developing permanent BHR, the possibility of transient BHR cannot be ruled out entirely.

Footnotes

  • Published Online First 14 September 2006

  • Competing interests: none.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF
  4. All versions of this article:
    1. oem.2005.026203v1
    2. 64/2/75 most recent

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.

Latest occupational, public, community health jobs

Latest occupational, public, community health jobs

Show me all >>