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    P2.1 EXPOSURE-RESPONSE RELATION BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL ENDOTOXIN EXPOSURE AND BRONCHIAL SYMPTOMS AMONG MALE COTTON TEXTILE WORKERS

    U. Latza, M. Oldenburg, X. Baur.Institute for Occupational Medicine, Hamburg, Germany

    Introduction: The aim was to investigate the exposure response-relation between endotoxin exposure in a cotton spinning mill and bronchial symptoms.

    Methods: The prevalence of bronchial symptoms was investigated within a cross sectional study among 150 cotton textile workers (response 47%) with interview, clinical investigation and ambient monitoring. The amount of endotoxin in dust samples was determined using the Limulus amebocyte lysate based (LAL) assay. Current endotoxin exposure was classified as “low”, “medium”, and “high” (⩽100, >100 to ⩽450, and >450 endotoxin units (EU)/m3, respectively). Atopy was defined as self-reported history of hay fever, atopic dermatitis, and/or allergic dermatitis (yes/no). Age and smoking adjusted odds ratios (OR) with confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.

    Results: The 114 male workers were between 21 and 61 years. The age group between 20 and 59 years (n = 112) reported wheezing during the last 12 months more frequently than a population based national sample (22.3% v 11.1%). The prevalence of wheezing was higher in workers with medium and in particular with high current endotoxin exposure as compared to individuals with low exposure (medium: OR = 2.15, 95% CI 0.48 to 9.62, high: OR = 5.49, 95% CI 1.17 to 25.81). A similar effect was observed for cough (medium: OR = 2.11, 95% CI 0.59 to 7.56, high: OR = 3.93, 95% CI 1.02 to 15.12). The dose response of current endotoxin exposure on the prevalence of wheezing and cough was significant (test for linear trend: p = 0.020 and p = 0.040, respectively). The association between the exposure and wheezing was stronger in atopic workers (medium: OR = 1.96, 95% CI 0.15 to 25.34, high: OR = 19.29, 95% CI, 1.06 to 351.04, test for linear trend: p = 0.047). The higher prevalence of chest tightness and shortness of breath in workers with medium and high current endotoxin exposure did not …

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