Haug T, Søstrand P, Langård S. Exposure to culturable microorganisms in paper mills and presence of symptoms associated with infections.
Am J Ind Med 2002;
41:498-505. [PMID:
12173375 DOI:
10.1002/ajim.10065]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Previous studies of paper machine operators have to a large extent focused on endotoxins as a possible health hazard, but not culturable micro-organisms (MOs).
METHODS
Based on exposure assessment in 11 paper mills workers exposed to culturable bio-aerosols were grouped in three exposure groups. 781 exposed and 285 unexposed workers completed a questionnaire that provided data pertaining to infections and associated symptoms.
RESULTS
Concentrations of culturable bacteria in process waters varied in the range 10(4)-10(6) colony forming units (cfu)/ml, and in bio-aerosols concentrations varied typically in the range 10(4)-->10(5) cfu/m3. Operators exposed to bio-aerosols reported higher cumulative incidence of symptoms associated with infections compared to the reference population (ORs = 1.7-5.9), and the group of highest exposed workers reported higher cumulative incidence than the group of lowest exposed (ORs = 1.2-3.6).
CONCLUSION
Exposure to bio-aerosols containing culturable MOs may induce symptoms associated with infections among operators in paper mills.
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