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Respiratory function in greenhouse workers.

Zuskin E; Schachter EN; Mustajbegovic J

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1993 Apr; 64(7):521-526

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381102

00227616

A study was conducted on the pulmonary function of greenhouse workers. Workers from three greenhouses and referent office workers in Croatia were surveyed about work related symptoms and evaluated for the presence of pulmonary function abnormalities. There were 135 women and 32 men in the greenhouse worker group; the referent group included 51 women and 30 men. Significantly higher incidences of chronic cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, and rhinitis were reported in women greenhouse workers compared with referents, while male greenhouse workers had significantly increased incidences of rhinitis. Significant increases in chronic cough and rhinitis were seen in women greenhouse workers who smoked, while male greenhouse workers who smoked had a significantly higher level of chronic phlegm. Compared with the referent workers, greenhouse workers also reported significantly increased levels of acute symptoms. Up to 37.8% of the greenhouse workers reported some irritant or allergic skin reactions during working hours which seemed to be associated with contact with Parietaria-officinalis, pesticides, or small spiders. Mean lung function values for several measures were found to be significantly lower than predicted for the greenhouse workers and the degree of impairment was related to length of exposure. No differences in lung function expressed as percentages of predicted values due to smoking among the greenhouse workers could be demonstrated. The authors conclude that occupational exposure to greenhouse environments appears to be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function.

NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Grant; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Agricultural-workers; Agricultural-chemicals; Occupational-exposure; Allergic-reactions; Lung-function; Cigarette-smoking; Skin-disorders

Medicine Mount Sinai Medical Center One Gustave L Levy Place New York, N Y 10029

IAEHDW

19930401

Journal Article

709316

Grant

1993

Grant-Number-R01-OH-02593

7

0340-0131

Pulmonary-system-disorders

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

NY

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York