| Document ID (ISN) | 104025 |
| CIS number |
05-465 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine |
| Year |
2004 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Heldal K.K., Eduard W. |
| Title |
Associations between acute symptoms and bioaerosol exposure during the collection of household waste |
| Bibliographic information |
Sep. 2004, Vol.46, No.3, p.253-260. Illus. 23 ref. |
| Abstract |
Associations between work-related symptoms and bioaerosol exposure were investigated in 22 household waste workers. Full-shift exposures to bacteria, fungal spores, endotoxins and total dust were measured. Data on symptoms experienced during work were obtained by means of a questionnaire. The median exposure levels of spherical bacteria and fungal spores were 0.4 and 0.1 x 106/m3, respectively, while exposures to rod-shaped bacteria, endotoxins and dust were low. The symptoms most often reported were unusual tiredness (24%), headache (22%), cough (15%), and irritation in eyes and nose (10 and 17%). The results suggest that acute work-related nose irritation is associated with exposure to bacteria. Exposure to rod-shaped bacteria is also associated with nose irritation and unusual tiredness. Finally, it is likely that cough is associated with fungal spores. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
refuse collection; aerosols; garbage collectors; biological hazards; waste disposal |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
airborne dust; spores; subjective assessment; bacteria; bacterial toxins; exposure tests; irritation; migraine; symptoms; fatigue; questionnaire survey; fungi |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Norway |
| Subject(s) |
Occupational pathology
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Biological hazards
Occupational medicine, epidemiology
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Biological hazards
Waste collection and disposal
|
