@article {Cummings1007, author = {K.J. Cummings and D.M. Gaughan and G.J. Kullman and D.H. Beezhold and B.J. Green and F.M. Blachere and T. Bledsoe and K. Kreiss and J. Cox-Ganser}, title = {Adverse respiratory outcomes associated with occupational exposures at a soy processing plant}, volume = {36}, number = {5}, pages = {1007--1015}, year = {2010}, doi = {10.1183/09031936.00151109}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {This study aimed to characterise the relationship between adverse health outcomes and occupational risk factors among workers at a soy processing plant. A questionnaire, spirometry, methacholine challenge, immune testing and air sampling for dust and soy were offered. Prevalence ratios (PRs) of respiratory problems from comparisons with the US adult population were calculated. Soy-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgE among participants and healthcare worker controls were compared. Associations between health outcomes and potential explanatory variables were examined using logistic regression. 147 (52\%) out of 281 employees, including 66 (70\%) out of 94 production workers, participated. PRs were significantly elevated for wheeze, sinusitis, ever-asthma and current asthma. Participants had significantly higher mean concentrations of soy-specific IgG (97.9 mg{\textperiodcentered}L-1 versus 1.5 mg{\textperiodcentered}L-1) and prevalence of soy-specific IgE (21\% versus 4\%) than controls. Participants with soy-specific IgE had three-fold greater odds of current asthma or asthma-like symptoms, and six-fold greater odds of work-related asthma-like symptoms; the latter additionally was associated with production work and higher peak dust exposures. Airways obstruction was associated with higher peak dust. Work-related sinusitis, nasal allergies and rash were associated with reported workplace mould exposure. Asthma and symptoms of asthma, but not other respiratory problems, were associated with immune reactivity to soy.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/5/1007}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/5/1007.full.pdf}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }