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The Annals of occupational hygiene2009; 53(6); 595-603; doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mep040

Exposure to inhalable dust, endotoxins, beta(1->3)-glucans, and airborne microorganisms in horse stables.

Abstract: Workers in horse stables are likely exposed to high levels of organic dust. Organic dusts play a role in increased risk of inflammatory reactions and are associated with respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate dust, endotoxin, beta(1-->3)-glucan, and culturable microorganisms exposure levels in horse stables. Methods: Ambient (n = 38) and personal (n = 42) inhalable dust samples were collected using PAS-6 sampling heads. As a special measurement, we included sampling near the horses' heads. Samples were analyzed for endotoxin and beta(1-->3)-glucan by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and an inhibition enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Culturable bacteria and fungi were collected with an Anderson impactor. Results: Geometric means (GMs) of personal exposure to dust, endotoxin, and beta(1-->3)-glucan were 1.4 mg m(-3) (range 0.2-9.5), 608 EU m(-3) (20-9846), and 9.5 microg m(-3) (0.4-631 microg m(-3)), respectively. Exposure levels in the morning shift were higher compared to other shifts. The GMs (ranges) of culturable bacteria and fungi were 3.1 x 10(3) colony-forming unit (CFU) m(-3) (6.7 x 10 to 1.9 x 10(4)) and 1.9 x 10(3) CFU m(-3) (7.4 x 10 to 2.4 x 10(4)), respectively. Variance components for endotoxin and beta(1-->3)-glucan were considerably higher than for dust. Based on dummy variable in a mixed regression analysis, the predominant task explaining exposure levels of dust, endotoxin, and beta(1-->3)-glucan was sweeping the floor. For beta(1-->3)-glucan, feeding the horse was also an important determinant. Conclusions: Dust, endotoxin, and beta(1-->3)-glucan exposure are considerable in horse stables. Bacterial and fungal exposure levels were moderate. Endotoxin exposures were above the Dutch proposed standard limits, suggesting workers in horse stables to be at risk of adverse health effects.
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Publication Date: 2009-06-26 PubMed ID: 19561032DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mep040Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The plain language overview: This research paper analyzes the exposure of horse stable workers to organic dust, particularly dust, endotoxins, beta-glucans and airborne microorganisms, which can cause respiratory diseases and inflammatory reactions. The study also seeks to identify which tasks contribute to higher exposure to these components and claims that these workers are risking their health due to exposure levels exceeding the Dutch standard limits.

Objective of the Research

  • The aim of the research was to study the levels of exposure to dust, endotoxins, beta-glucans and culturable microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in horse stables. The study targeted workers in horse stables who are renown for having high incidences of respiratory illnesses due to the high exposure to organic dust.

Methodology

  • The study collected Ambient and personal inhalable dust samples making use of PAS-6 sampling heads. A unique part of the sampling involved collecting samples near the horses’ heads.
  • The collected Samples were then analyzed for levels of endotoxin and beta-glucans by applying the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and an inhibition enzyme immunoassay respectively.
  • Culturable bacteria and fungi were collected using an Anderson impactor.

Research Findings

  • The geometric means of personal exposure to dust, endotoxin, and beta-glucan were identified to be 1.4 mg m(-3), 608 EU m(-3), and 9.5 microg m(-3), respectively.
  • It was observed that the exposure levels were higher during the morning shifts as compared to other shifts.
  • The geometric means of culturable bacteria and fungi were 3.1 x 10(3) colony-forming unit (CFU) m(-3) and 1.9 x 10(3) CFU m(-3), respectively.
  • The prime task associated with increased exposure levels of dust, endotoxin, and beta-glucan was found to be sweeping the floor. In case of beta-glucan, feeding the horse was also identified as an important determinant.

Conclusions of the Research

  • The study concluded that the exposure to dust, endotoxin, and beta-glucan are significant in horse stables.
  • The levels of bacterial and fungal exposure were moderate.
  • The study cautioned that workers in horse stables may be subjected to the risk of adverse health effects since the endotoxin exposures were found to be more than the Dutch proposed limits.

Cite This Article

APA
Samadi S, Wouters IM, Houben R, Jamshidifard AR, Van Eerdenburg F, Heederik DJ. (2009). Exposure to inhalable dust, endotoxins, beta(1->3)-glucans, and airborne microorganisms in horse stables. Ann Occup Hyg, 53(6), 595-603. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mep040

Publication

The Annals of occupational hygiene
ISSN: 1475-3162
NlmUniqueID: 0203526
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 6
Pages: 595-603

Researcher Affiliations

Samadi, Sadegh
  • Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.Samadi@uu.nl
Wouters, Inge M
    Houben, Rosa
      Jamshidifard, Ali-Reza
        Van Eerdenburg, Frank
          Heederik, Dick J J

            MeSH Terms

            • Air Microbiology
            • Animal Husbandry
            • Animals
            • Dust
            • Endotoxins / analysis
            • Environmental Monitoring / methods
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Inhalation Exposure / analysis
            • Occupational Exposure / analysis
            • beta-Glucans / analysis

            Citations

            This article has been cited 24 times.
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