Exposure to bioaerosols in the selected agricultural facilities of the Ukraine and Poland - a review.

The aim of this work was to review the studies on bioaerosols which were carried out in the years 1972-2009 in following branches of agricultural industry in the Ukraine and Poland: animal farms for cows and pigs, animal feed facilities, production of biofuel from rape, herb farms and herb processing facilities. In all facilities were determined: concentration of dust and microorganisms in the air and species composition of microflora. Moreover, in Polish animal farms, herb farms and herb processing facilities, as well as in the Ukrainian animal feed facilities, was determined the concentration of bacterial endotoxin in the air.

Respiratory disorders in two workers of customs depositories occupationally exposed to mouldy tobacco.

Work-related respiratory symptoms, including dyspnoea, cough, fever, tiredness and malaise, were recorded in two customs officers employed in 2 depositories of confiscated cigarettes, of which one showed signs of dampness. Microbiological sampling of the air and the cigarettes stored in a damp depository revealed the presence of potentially pathogenic fungi and bacteria and the biochemical markers of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and fungal biomass. The Penicillium species (P.

Identification of bacterial and fungal components in tobacco and tobacco smoke.

The microbiological composition of tobacco products was studied using culture and chemical analysis (of tobacco leaves) or chemical analysis only (tobacco and tobacco smoke). The chemical analyses utilized gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determining 3-hydroxy fatty acids, muramic acid, and ergosterol as markers of respectively lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan, and fungal biomass. Mesophilic bacteria dominated in both fresh and cured tobacco leaves; a range of additional bacteria and fungi were also found albeit in minor amounts.

Levels of fungi and mycotoxins in the samples of grain and grain dust collected from five various cereal crops in eastern Poland.

During combine harvesting of 5 various cereal crops (rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, corn) 24 samples of grain and 24 samples of settled grain dust were collected on farms located in the Lublin province of eastern Poland. The samples were examined for the concentration of total microfungi, Fusarium species, deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), and ochratoxin A (OTA). Microfungi able to grow on malt agar were present in 79.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms, dust and endotoxin during processing of peppermint and chamomile herbs on farms.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of microorganisms, dust and endotoxin in the air during processing of peppermint (Mentha piperita) and chamomile (Matricaria recutita) by herb farmers, and to examine the species composition of airborne microflora. Air samples were collected on glass fibre filters by use of personal samplers on 13 farms owned by herb cultivating farmers, located in Lublin province (eastern Poland). The concentrations of total viable microorganisms (bacteria + fungi) in the farm air during processing of peppermint herb were large, within a range from 895.

Exposure of Indian agricultural workers to airborne microorganisms, dust and endotoxin during handling of various plant products.

Microbiological air sampling with the use of personal sampler was performed in 14 small agricultural facilities located in Aurangabad (Southern India), including 5 farms (at harvesting and threshing), 6 godowns (small food storing and processing settings) and 3 grain or cotton mills. In 12 facilities, including harvesting on farms, godowns and mills, concentrations of airborne microorganisms were relatively low, ranging from 1.5 x 10(3) - 8.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms, dust and endotoxin during processing of valerian roots on farms.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of microorganisms, dust and endotoxin in the air during various stages of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) roots processing by herb farmers and to examine the species composition of airborne microflora. Air samples were collected on glass fibre filters by use of personal samplers on 15 farms owned by valerian cultivating farmers, located in Lublin province (eastern Poland). The concentrations of total viable microorganisms (bacteria + fungi) in the air showed a marked variability and were within a range of 0.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms, dust and endotoxin during flax scutching on farms.

Microbiological air sampling was performed on 5 flax farms located in eastern Poland. Air samples for determination of the concentrations of microorganisms, dust and endotoxin were collected in barns during machine scutching of flax stems by the farmers. The concentrations of mesophilic bacteria ranged from 203.

Exposure to bioaerosols: allergic reactions and respiratory function in Polish hop growers.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of work-related symptoms in hop growers and their relation to bioaerosols exposure. The study group comprised 69 hop growers and 58 office workers as controls. The examination included: physician-administrated questionnaire, PEF measurements, skin prick test, agar-gel precipitation test, and migration inhibition test.

Exposure of hop growers to bioaerosols.

Air sampling was performed during picking and sorting of hop (Humulus lupulus) cones on 19 hop farms located in eastern Poland. The concentration and composition of airborne microflora and the concentration of airborne dust and endotoxin were determined. Additionally, 7 samples of settled hop dust were collected and examined for the presence of microorganisms and endotoxin.

Exposure to bioaerosols in a municipal sewage treatment plant.

Microbiological air sampling was performed in a medium-size sewage treatment plant processing municipal wastewater from a city located in eastern Poland. Air samples for determination of the concentrations of viable mesophilic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, thermophilic actinomycetes, fungi and endotoxin were collected at 12 sites associated with various phases of sewage treatment process. The concentrations of total mesophilic bacteria (both Gram-positive and Gram-negative) were within a range of 2.

[Filamentous fungi and mycotoxins as potential occupational risk factors among farmers harvesting various crops].

The studies to determine the level of filamentous fungi and mycotoxins were carried out in samples of grain and grain dust during threshing of cereals by a combine harvester. High concentration of fungi was noted in grain and grain dust samples, it ranged from 5.0 to 520.

The effects of exposure to organic dust on the respiratory system of potato processing workers.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate lung function and the prevalence of work-related symptoms in workers of a potato processing plant located in Lublin region (eastern Poland). The study group comprised 61 workers employed in 2 departments. The examination included: physician-administrated questionnaire on occurrence of work-related symptoms, occupational history and smoking habits.

Precipitin response of potato processing workers to work-related microbial allergens.

Serum samples from 61 potato processing workers and 30 urban dwellers not exposed to organic dusts (as a reference group) were examined in agar-gel precipitation test performed by Ouchterlony double diffusion method with the antigens of 12 microorganisms associated with organic dusts. Each serum was tested twice: not concentrated, and three-fold concentrated, for the detection of low levels of precipitins. The antibody response of workers to the antigen of coryneform bacterium Agromyces ramosus was high, at both not concentrated and 3-fold concentrated sera (respectively 29.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms and endotoxin in a potato processing plant.

Microbiological air sampling was performed in a big potato processing plant located in eastern Poland. Air samples for determination of concentrations of microorganisms, dust and endotoxin were collected at 6 sites in the division producing potato flakes and meal from dried potato pulp and at 2 sites in the division producing potato syrup from imported starch. The concentrations of total airborne microorganisms were within a range of 28.

Work-related symptoms among furniture factory workers in Lublin region (eastern Poland).

48 woodworkers employed in the furniture factory were examined. The control group consisted of 41 office workers with no exposure to organic dust. The examination included: interview on work-related symptoms, physical examination, and lung function test performed before and after the working-day.

Response of furniture factory workers to work-related airborne allergens.

The aim of this work was to determine the reactivity of furniture factory workers to microbial allergens associated with wood dust. Allergological examinations by skin and precipitin tests were performed in 48 workers employed in a factory producing furniture from fibreboards and chipboards, and in 32 healthy urban dwellers not exposed to organic dusts (referents). The skin test was performed by the intradermal method with the saline extracts of the cultures of 3 microbial species (Rahnella sp.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms in furniture factories.

Microbiological air sampling was performed in 2 furniture factories located in eastern Poland. In one factory furniture were made from fibreboards and chipboards while in the other from beech wood. It was found that the concentration of total microorganisms (bacteria + fungi) in the air of the facility using beech wood for furniture production (mean 10.

Response of herb processing workers to work-related airborne allergens.

A group of 51 herb processing workers employed in a big herb processing facility located in eastern Poland were examined by the skin and precipitin tests with, respectively, 4 and 17 extracts of microorganisms associated with organic dusts. Out of this number, 32 workers were examined by the skin test with 7 extracts of selected herbs processed in the facility. All the subjects were asked about the occurrence of work-related symptoms.

Levels of fungi and mycotoxins in samples of grain and grain dust collected on farms in Eastern Poland.

Ten samples of stored wheat grain and 10 samples of settled grain dust released during machine threshing of wheat grain were collected on 10 farms located in Lublin province (eastern Poland). The samples were examined for the concentration of total microfungi, Fusarium species, fusariotoxins (moniliformin, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol), and ochratoxin. Microfungi able to grow on malt agar were present in 30% of grain samples (median for all examined samples = 0, range 0-227.

Enzymatic activities of Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from the air at waste landfills.

Out of 15 Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from the air at waste landfills, all revealed cellulolytic and lipolytic activities. Eleven out of 15 strains showed very strong cellulolytic properties, as assessed by the viscosimetric test for endo-1,4-beta-glucanase activity (EGA). None of the examined strains revealed a well-expressed proteolytic activity.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms and endotoxin in herb processing plants.

Microbiological air sampling was performed in two herb processing plants located in eastern Poland. Air samples for determination of the levels of bacteria, fungi, dust and endotoxin were collected at 14 sites during cleaning, cutting, grinding, sieving, sorting and packing of 11 kinds of herbs (nettle, caraway, birch, celandine, marjoram, mint, peppermint, sage, St. John's wort, calamus, yarrow), used for production of medications, cosmetics and spices.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms in fiberboard and chipboard factories.

Microbiological air sampling was performed in one fiberboard factory and two chipboard factories located in south-eastern Poland. It was found that the levels of bacteria, fungi, dust and bacterial endotoxin in the air of examined facilities were high during initial stages of the production cycle (shredding of waste wood, storing of chips) and then sharply decreased during further stages of this cycle (forming and formatting of the boards). In the fiberboard factory, the concentration of airborne microorganisms at the initial stages of production cycle was 71.

Response of sawmill workers to work-related airborne allergens.

The aim of this work was to determine the reactivity of sawmill workers to biological allergens associated with wood dust. Allergological examinations by skin and precipitin tests were performed in 43 workers employed in a sawmill processing coniferous wood (pine), in 90 workers employed in two sawmills processing deciduous wood (oak), and in 32 healthy urban dwellers not exposed to organic dusts (referents). The skin test was performed by the intradermal method with the saline extracts of wood dust and of the cultures of three microbial species (Rahnella sp.

Exposure to airborne microorganisms in Polish sawmills.

Microbiological air sampling was performed in four sawmills located in eastern Poland, of which two were processing coniferous wood (pine, fir) and other two deciduous wood (oak, birch). Total concentration of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in the air of sawmills processing coniferous wood was on average 20.2 +/- 5.