Abstract
Exposures to molds and bacteria (especially actinomycetes) at workplaces are common in garbage workers, but allergic respiratory diseases due to these microorganisms have been described rarely. The aim of our study was a detailed analysis of mold or bacteria-associated occupational respiratory diseases in garbage workers. From 2002 to 2011 four cases of occupational respiratory diseases related to garbage handling were identified in our institute (IPA). Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) was diagnosed in three subjects (cases 1–3, one smoker, two non-smokers), occupational asthma (OA) was diagnosed in one subject (case 4, smoker), but could not be excluded completely in case 2. Cases 1 and 2 worked in composting sites, while cases 3 and 4 worked in packaging recycling plants. Exposure periods were 2–4 years. Molds and actinomycetes were identified as allergens in all cases. Specific IgE antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus were detected exclusively in case 4. Diagnoses of HP were essentially based on symptoms and the detection of specific IgG serum antibodies to molds and actinomycetes. OA was confirmed by bronchial provocation test with Aspergillus fumigatus in case 4. In conclusion, occupational HP and OA due to molds occur rarely in garbage workers. Technical prevention measures are insufficient and the diagnosis of HP is often inconclusive. Therefore, it is recommended to implement the full repertoire of diagnostic tools including bronchoalveolar lavage and high resolution computed tomography in the baseline examination.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bünger, J., Antlauf-Lammers, M., Schultz, T. G., Westphal, G. A., Müller, M. M., Ruhnau, P., & Hallier, E. (2000). Health complaints and immunological markers of exposure to bioaerosols among biowaste collectors and compost workers. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 57, 458–464.
Bünger, J., Schappler-Scheele, B., Hilgers, R., & Hallier, E. (2007). A 5-year follow-up study on respiratory disorders and lung function in workers exposed to organic dust from composting plants. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 80, 306–312.
Katayama, N., Fujimura, M., Yasui, M., Ogawa, H., & Nakao, S. (2008). Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and bronchial asthma attacks caused by environmental fungi. Allergology International, 57, 277–280.
Kuijer, P. P., Sluiter, J. K., & Frings-Dresen, M. H. W. (2010). Health and safety in waste collection: Toward evidence-based worker health surveillance. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 53, 1040–1064.
Neumann, H. D., Balfanz, J., Becker, G., Lohmeyer, M., Mathys, W., & Raulf-Heimsoth, M. (2002). Bioaerosol exposure during refuse collection: Results of field studies in the real-life situation. Science of the Total Environment, 292, 219–231.
O’Brien, I. M., Bull, J., Creamer, B., Sepulveda, R., Harries, M., Burge, P. S., & Pepy, J. (1978). Asthma and extrinsic allergic alveolitis due to Merulis lacrymans. Clinical Allergy, 8, 535–542.
Peersons, R., Parat, S., Stoklov, M., Perdrix, A., & Maitre, A. (2010). Critical working tasks and determinants of exposure to bioaerosols and MVOC at composting facilities. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 213, 338–347.
Piipari, R., & Keskinen, H. (2005). Agents causing occupational asthma in Finland in 1986–2002: Cow epithelium bypassed by molds from moisture-damaged buildings. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 35, 1632–1637.
Rydjord, B., Eduard, W., Stensby, B., Sandven, P., Michaelsen, T. E., & Wiker, H. G. (2007). Antibody response to long-term and high-dose mold-exposed sawmill workers. Scandinavian Journal of lmmunology, 66, 711–718.
Schlosser, O., Huyard, A., Cartnick, K., Yanez, A., Catalán, V., & Do Quang, Z. (2009). Bioaerosol in composting facilities: Occupational health risk assessment. Water Environment Research, 81, 866–877.
Sennekamp, J., Müller-Wening, D., Amthor, M., Baur, X., Bergmann, K. C., Costabel, U., Kirsten, D., Koschel, D., Kroidl, R., Liebetrau, G., Nowak, D., Schreiber, J., & Vogelmeier, C. (2007). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=German%20Extrinsic%20Allergic%20Alveolitis%20Study%20Group%5BCorporate%20Author%5DGuidelines criteria for diagnosing extrinsic allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) Pneumologie, 61, 52–56 (in German).
van Kampen, V., Deckert, A., Hoffmeyer, F., Taeger, D., Brinkmann, E., Brüning, T., Raulf-Heimsoth, M., & Bünger, J. (2012). Symptoms, spirometry, and serum antibody concentration among compost workers exposed to organic dust. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 75, 492–500.
Vincken, W., & Roels, P. (1984). Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in compost. Thorax, 39, 74–75.
Weber, S., Kullman, G., Petsonk, E., Jones, W. G., Olenchock, S., Sorenson, W., Parker, J., Marcelo-Baciu, R., Frazer, D., & Castranova, V. (1993). Organic dust exposure from compost handling: Case presentation and respiratory exposure assessment. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 24, 365–374.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hagemeyer, O. et al. (2013). Occupational Allergic Respiratory Diseases in Garbage Workers: Relevance of Molds and Actinomycetes. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Neurobiology of Respiration. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 788. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6627-3_42
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6627-3_42
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-6626-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6627-3
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)