ORIGINAL PAPER
Occupational exposure to fungi and particles in animal feed industry
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1
Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
(Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology)
2
New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
(Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública)
3
National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
(Mycology Laboratory)
4
University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
(Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine)
Corresponding author
Carla Viegas
Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Environment and Health Research Group, Av. D. João II, Lote 4.69.01, 1990-090 Lisbon, Portugal
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2016;67(2):143-54
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ABSTRACT
Background: Very few studies regarding fungal and particulate matter (PM) exposure in feed industry have been reported,
although such contaminants are likely to be a significant contributing factor to several symptoms reported among workers.
The purpose of this study has been to characterize fungal and dust exposure in one Portuguese feed industry. Material and Methods: Air and surface samples were collected and subject to further macro- and microscopic observations. In addition we
collected other air samples in order to perform real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of genes
from Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus complexes as well as Stachybotrys chartarum. Additionally, two exposure metrics
were considered – particle mass concentration (PMC), measured in 5 different sizes (PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5, PM5, PM10), and particle
number concentration (PNC) based on results given in 6 different sizes in terms of diameter (0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 2.5 μm,
5 μm and 10 μm). Results: Species from the Aspergillus fumigatus complex were the most abundant in air (46.6%) and in surfaces,
Penicillium genus was the most frequently found (32%). The only DNA was detected from A. fumigatus complex. The most prevalent
in dust samples were smaller particles which may reach deep into the respiratory system and trigger not only local effects but
also the systemic ones. Conclusions: Future research work must be developed aiming at assessing the real health effects of these
co-exposures. Med Pr 2016;67(2):143–154