Occupational Allergic Sensitization Among Workers Processing King Crab () and Edible Crab () in Norway and Identification of Novel Putative Allergenic Proteins.

Asthma and allergy occur frequently among seafood processing workers, with the highest prevalence seen in the crustacean processing industry. In this study we established for the first time the prevalence of allergic sensitization in the Norwegian king- and edible crab processing industry and characterized the IgE-reactive proteins. Two populations of crab processing workers participated; 119 king crab and 65 edible crab workers.

Exposures and Health Effects of Bioaerosols in Seafood Processing Workers - a Position Statement.

Occupational hazards exist in the processing of seafood both in land-based facilities as well as on board vessels. Recent findings on occupational injury and respiratory health risks among seafood processing workers were presented and discussed at the IFISH5 conference. Particular emphasis was put on the challenges that im/migrant workers encounter, the greater risks onboard factory vessels, especially where processing machinery are retrofitted to older vessels not primarily designed for this purpose, and the difficulties in assessing and preventing bioaerosol exposures and associated respiratory health risks despite recent advances in characterising agents responsible for allergic and non-allergic reactions.

Musculoskeletal symptoms among workers in the commercial fishing fleet of Norway.

Background: Fishers exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions may suffer negative health ef- fects. This study aimed to identify musculoskeletal symptoms in professional fishers in Norway using data from several sources; register data, telephone survey and questionnaire.

Materials And Methods: Professional fishers (n = 25,971) registered in the period 2008-2013 were selected by Statistics Norway (SSB).

A Sensitive Assay for Proteases in Bioaerosol Samples: Characterization and Quantification of Airborne Proteases in Salmon Industry Work Environments.

Proteases are probably underestimated exposure agents in bioaerosols. Their roles as barrier disrupters in allergic sensitization and activators of innate inflammation call for more attention in exposure-response studies. The main objectives of this study was (i) to establish a suitable method for detection of small quantities of proteases in filtered air samples and (ii) to utilize the method to characterize exposure to proteases in a salmon industry work environment.

Lung function and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Norwegian crab processing workers.

Background: Seafood processing workers have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma. This has not been studied among Norwegian crab processing workers, nor has the respiratory health of exposed workers been compared to a control group.

Objectives: Assessing the impact of working in the crab processing industry on workers' respiratory health.

Thermophysiological responses and work strain in fishermen on deep-sea fishing vessels.

Background: Fishermen working on deep-sea vessels in the Barents and Norwegian Sea are exposed to low air temperatures, strong winds, high humidity, rain, snow and work at different intensities. Few studies have investigated the effect of environmental work factors on the physiology of this occupational group. The aim of the study was to investigate work strain and thermophysiological responses of fishermen on the trawl and factory decks of deep-sea vessels.

Occupational Exposure to Bioaerosols in Norwegian Crab Processing Plants.

Introduction: Aerosolization of components when processing king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and edible crab (Cancer pagurus) may cause occupational health problems when inhaled by workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in three king crab plants and one edible crab plant. Personal exposure measurements were performed throughout work shifts.

Respiratory symptoms, lung functions, and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in two types of fish processing workers: Russian trawler fishermen and Norwegian salmon industry workers.

Objective: Respiratory outcomes and work-related factors were studied in two seafood worker populations representing different occupational environments.

Methods: Levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), spirometric values, prevalence of respiratory symptoms, and self-evaluated exposures were compared between 139 Norwegian salmon workers and 127 Russian trawler workers.

Results: Increased odds ratios (ORs) of shortness of breath with wheezing and prolonged cough as general respiratory symptoms were found in salmon workers, while increased ORs of work-related dry cough and running nose were found in trawler fishermen.

Molecular and immunological approaches in quantifying the air-borne food allergen tropomyosin in crab processing facilities.

Tropomyosin is a cross-reactive allergenic protein present in ingested shellfish species. Exposure and sensitization to this protein via inhalation is particularly important in the crustacean processing industry where workers are continuously exposed to the aerosolized form of this allergen. The aim of this study was to develop an antibody-based immunoassay to enable the specific and sensitive quantification of aerosolized tropomyosin present in the environment of two crab processing facilities.

Respiratory effects of bioaerosols: exposure-response study among salmon-processing workers.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine exposure-response relationships in salmon-processing workers.

Methods: Cross-shift FEV1, acute respiratory symptoms, and exposure to total protein, parvalbumin and endotoxin were main variables measured during one workweek. Exposure-response relationships were analyzed by Generalized Estimation Equations of cross-week data and by multiple regressions of day-to-day data.

An analysis of the respiratory health status among seafarers in the Russian trawler and merchant fleets.

Objectives: Trawler fishermen and merchant seafarers have tough working conditions. While workers in both occupations are exposed to a challenging environment, trawler fishermen are also engaged in onboard fish processing, which is considered to be additional exposure. The aim of the present study was to characterize respiratory health status in both groups of seamen.

Respiratory impairment in Norwegian salmon industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the respiratory status in salmon-processing workers.

Methods: The study population was composed of 139 salmon workers and 214 controls. A study protocol comprised a questionnaire, spirometry, measurements of fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration, and total and specific immunoglobulin E analyses.

Proteases from salmon stimulate IL-8 in airway epithelial cells.

In this study the ability of salmon tissue extracts to stimulate interleukin 8 (IL-8) production in airway epithelial cells (A549) was investigated; in particular, the role of serine protease enzymes and endotoxin was examined with respect to IL-8-stimulating ability. A549 cells were stimulated by various concentrations of fish tissue extracts for 6 h. Parallel samples were incubated with a protease inhibitor cocktail, a serine protease inhibitor, or an endotoxin inhibitor.

Salmon trypsin stimulates the expression of interleukin-8 via protease-activated receptor-2.

In this study, we focus on salmon trypsin as an activator of inflammatory responses in airway cells in vitro. The rationale behind the investigation is that salmon industry workers are exposed to aerosols containing enzymes, which are generated during industrial processing of the fish. Knowing that serine proteases such as trypsin are highly active mediators with diverse biological activities, the stimulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and interleukin (IL)-8 and the role of protease-activated receptors (PAR) in inflammatory signal mediation were investigated.

Musculoskeletal symptoms among seafood production workers in North Norway.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among male and female production workers in different types of seafood industries in North Norway and to analyse associations between musculoskeletal symptoms and some possible risk factors in the seafood industry.

Methods: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire, covering several aspects concerning occupational environment and health issues, was mailed to employees in seafood-processing plants in North Norway.

Results: A total of 1767 employees in 118 seafood-processing plants participated giving a 50% response rate.

Exposure and airway effects of seafood industry workers in northern Norway.

Objective: In this study, we explored airway symptoms and exposure to bioaerosols and exhaust gases in seafood industry plants.

Methods: The study details the results from personal and environmental exposure measurements (17 plants), a questionnaire (n = 984), and clinical examinations (n = 225).

Results: The workers were exposed to allergens, endotoxins, molds, and exhaust.

Feeling cold at work increases the risk of symptoms from muscles, skin, and airways in seafood industry workers.

Background: Norwegian workers in seafood industry plants are exposed to a cold and often wet environment.

Methods: 1,767 seafood industry workers participated in a questionnaire study. Seventeen plants were visited for thermal measurements.