Immunological and respiratory findings in spice-factory workers.

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 45 female spice-factory workers (mean age: 39 years; mean exposure: 17 years). In addition a group of 45 female control workers matched by sex, age, and smoking habit were also studied. Intradermal skin testing with mixed spice dust allergen demonstrated positive skin reactions in 73.3% of exposed and in 33.3% of control workers (P less than 0.001). Increased IgE serum levels were found in 36.8% of exposed and in 9.7% of the control workers (P less than 0.01). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the exposed workers than in the control workers (P less than 0.01). There was, however, no consistent correlation between skin reactivity and chronic respiratory symptoms. There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during the work shift. These complaints were more frequent in workers with positive skin tests for the symptoms of cough, chest tightness, and irritated and dry throat. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. There were statistically significant mean reductions during the work shift for all measured lung function parameters in workers with positive skin reactions. In those workers with negative skin reactions only FEF50 and FEF25 reached statistical significance. Aqueous extracts of different spices (chilli pepper, paprika, caraway, coriander leaves, coriander seeds, cinnamon, ginger, onion, curry, and parsley) caused a dose-related contractile response of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. These data suggest that immunologic reactions to spices are frequent in spice workers and may be related to acute symptoms and lung function changes, but not to chronic changes. The data further suggest that, in addition to any immunologic response these spices may produce in vivo, they probably also provoke direct irritant reactions in the airways as suggested by in vitro data.

Respiratory findings in spice factory workers.

The respiratory consequences of working in the spice industry were studied in 92 female spice factory workers (mean age, 36 yr; mean exposure, 12 yr). A control group of 104 female workers employed in a nondusty industry was also studied. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the exposed than in the control group. In particular, the prevalence of dyspnea (57.6%), chronic cough (22.8%), chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis (19.6%), nasal catarrh (37.0%), and sinusitis (22.2%) was high when compared to controls (p less than .01). Among spice factory workers, a high prevalence of acute symptoms during the workshift was recorded. Acute reductions in lung function were statistically significant over the workshift for forced vital capacity (FVC), -2.0%; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), -3.0%; and for maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% (FEF50), -8.3% and at 25% (FEF25), -15.2% measured on maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. No difference was found in across-shift ventilatory function in workers with or without chronic respiratory symptoms, except for FEF25 (with symptoms, 16.7%; without symptoms, 9.6%). Preshift administration of 40 mg of disodium cromoglycate (DSC) inhaled 15 min before the workshift significantly diminished acute reductions in FEF50 and FEF25 in exposed workers. Monday preshift FEF50 and FEF25 in exposed workers were significantly lower than in control workers (p less than .01), which suggests an early irreversible component to this illness.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers.

Respiratory function was studied in a group of 29 soy workers exposed to soy bean dust produced after extraction of soy oil. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was consistently higher in exposed than in control workers, although the differences were not statistically significant. During the Monday work shift there was a significant mean acute across-shift decrease in maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and 25% vital capacity (FEF50: -6.4%; FEF25: -12.4%). Changes in vital capacity (FVC: -3.6%) and 1-sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1: -2.7%) were smaller, but still statistically significant. There were also statistically significant acute reductions in all ventilatory capacity parameters over the work shift on the following Friday, although the changes were in general smaller than on Monday (except for FEV1). An analysis of Monday preshift values of ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers suggests that exposure to soy bean dust may lead to chronic respiratory impairment in some workers.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in furriers.

Forty women who had been occupationally exposed in the fur coat manufacturing industry were studied. The mean age was 30 years; mean duration of exposure was 14 years. A group of 31 females who did not work in the furrier industry also was included in the study as the control group. A higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was found among furriers when compared with controls; these differences were statistically significant for nasal catarrh (p less than 0.05) and sinusitis (p less than 0.01). Among the furriers, the highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms was recorded for chronic cough in 20 workers (50.0%), followed by sinusitis in 12 (30.0%), dyspnea in 10 (25.0%), and nasal catarrh in 8 workers (20.0%). Among the furriers, two (5.0%) had symptoms characteristic of occupational asthma. Most of the symptomatic furriers complained of acute symptoms during their work shifts. Statistically significant mean reductions in lung function over the work shift were recorded in furriers for forced vital capacity (FVC), -4.1%; one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), -5.2%; and flow rate at 50% vital capacity (FEF50%), -6.3%. Furriers demonstrated significantly lower mean Monday preshift measurements for FVC and flow rate at 25% (FEF25%) (p less than 0.05) when compared with those predicted. Preshift administration (by spinhaler) of 40 mg disodium cromoglycate in three workers reduced the intensity of acute respiratory symptoms and diminished the reductions in ventilatory capacity over the work shift. Data from six additional male workers demonstrated similar findings for symptoms and lung function. Our data suggest that furriers are at risk of developing both acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as ventilatory capacity impairment as a result of occupational exposure.

Bronchial reactivity in green coffee exposure.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function were studied in nine coffee workers who complained of job related respiratory symptoms. Six described symptoms characteristic of occupational asthma. Lung function data showed obstructive changes mostly in the smaller airways with no impairment in diffusing capacity. Bronchoprovocation testing with green coffee allergen provoked immediate asthmatic reactions with acute reductions of ventilatory capacity in four workers. The relative fall in FEF25-75% (ranging from 28% to 66%) was greater than in FEV1 (ranging from 18% to 62% of the control values). Eight of the nine workers had an increased total IgE serum level; five had positive intradermal skin tests to green coffee allergen. Most of the six healthy subjects experimentally exposed to green coffee dust in the working environment showed an acute fall in flow rates on maximum expiratory flow-volume curves. These results indicate that bronchoprovocation with green coffee allergen or green coffee dust may be used to identify subjects sensitive to green coffee.

Immunological and respiratory changes in tea workers.

Immunological status and respiratory function were studied in 26 female nonsmokers employed in processing different types of tea. Skin tests with tea-allergens demonstrated the highest percentage of positive reaction to sage (45%), gruzyan (40%), mentha (35%), and dog rose (10%). Among 17 skin-tested control workers, 23% had positive skin reaction to sage, 19% to gruzyan tea, 20% to mentha and 11% to dog rose and Indian teas. Serum levels of total IgE were increased in 27% of the tea workers and in 7% of the control subjects. Prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in tea workers with positive skin tests than in those with negative skin tests to tea allergens. Tea workers with positive skin tests to tea allergens had larger mean acute reduction over the Monday workshift in flow rates (MEF50%: -11.9%; MEF25%: -20.6%) than in those with negative skin tests (MEF50%: -5.7%; MEF25%: -16.7%), thus suggesting an obstructive effect mostly located in smaller airways. Bronchoprovocation testing with different tea allergens provoked acute reductions of ventilatory capacity in four out of six subjects tested. Relative fall over a 90-min post exposure was greater in MEF25% (ranging from 13% to 67%) than in MEF 50% (ranging from 9% to 45% of the control values).

Respiratory function in tea workers.

Respiratory function was studied in five groups of tea workers employed in processing different types of tea. The prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in workers processing dog-rose, sage, and gruzyan tea than in control workers. During the Monday workshift there was a significant mean acute decrease in maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% vital capacity (range: 4.1-8.8%) and at 25% VC (range: 7.8-21.8%) except in those exposed to camomile. Acute reductions in forced expiratory volume in one second were considerably smaller and mostly not significant. Mean acute reductions on Wednesday were similar to those on Monday with no significant differences between preshift Monday and Wednesday data. Acute decreases in flow rates at low lung volumes suggest that the bronchoconstrictor effect of the dust acts mostly on smaller airways. Preshift administration of disodium cromoglycate significantly diminished acute reduction in flow rates except in workers processing Indian tea. A comparison of Monday preshift values of ventilatory capacity in tea workers with those in controls indicates that exposure to tea dust may, in some workers, lead to chronic respiratory impairment.

Respiratory function in coffee workers.

Respiratory function was studied in three groups of workers employed in processing coffee. The prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in coffee processors than in control workers. In each group during the Monday work shift there was a significant mean acute decrease in the maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% vital capacity (VC), ranging from 4.0% to 8.7%, and at 25% VC, ranging from 6.0% to 18.5%. Acute reductions in FEV1.0 were considerably lower, ranging from 1.3% to 2.8%. On Thursdays the acute ventilatory function changes were somewhat lower than on Mondays. Acute decreases in flow rates at low lung volumes suggest that the bronchoconstrictor effect of the dust acts mostly on smaller airways. Administration of Intal (disodium cromoglycate) before the shift considerably diminished acute reductions in flow rates. A comparison of Monday pre-shift values of ventilatory capacity in coffee workers with those in controls indicates that exposure to dust in green or roasted coffee processing may lead to persistent loss of pulmonary function.

Effects of fluorocarbon propellants on respiratory flow and ECG.

Ten subjects were exposed to the propellants freon 11, freon 12, freon 114, to two mixtures of freon 11 and 12 and to a mixture of freon 12 and 114. The length of exposure was 15, 45 or 60 seconds. Maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEF) curves and ECG were recorded before, and intermittently up to 1 hour after, exposure. Breathing level concentrations of propellants during exposure were determined by gas chromatography. All freons induced biphasic reduction of ventilatory capacity on inhalation. The first fall occurred within a few minutes of exposure while the second was delayed 13-30 minutes after exposure. The effects of mixtures were greater than those of individual freons. The relative fall in MEF 75% was more pronounced than that in MEF 50%. No clear-cut pathological changes in ECG were found. Nevertheless, most subjects developed variations in heart rate exceeding those noted before exposure. In a few cases inversion of the T wave, and in one case atrioventricular block, were observed.