TY - JOUR T1 - Lung function among workers exposed to endotoxins in coffee processing factories JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - 353 AU - Gloria Sakwari AU - Simon H.D. Mamuya AU - Magne BrÄtveit AU - Bente E. Moen Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/353.abstract N2 - BackgroundOccupational exposure to endotoxins causes airway diseases and impairs lung function.ObjectivesTo measure personal total dust and endotoxins levels and to examine lung function among coffee workers in relation to exposure.MethodsAll 159 production workers from four Tanzanian factories processing Arabica and Robusta coffee were invited to participate. Personal total dust was sampled throughout the shift using Sidekick Casella pumps (n=193). Cumulative dust was calculated as mean dust exposure multiplied with the number of years of work in the respective coffee factories. Lung function test were carried out using a portable spirometer (SPIRARE3). Differences in groups were tested by independent t-tests. Linear regression was done to adjust for confounders; age, height and smoking.ResultsRobusta (n= 74) and Arabica (n=66) coffee workers had a mean age of 33 years and 38% were current smokers. Total dust levels and endotoxins were significantly higher in the Robusta factories (geometric mean 3.42 mg/m3 and 10800EU/m3, respectively) than in the Arabica coffee factories (2.10 mg/m3 and 1400EU/m3). Mean cumulative dust in both groups was 17mg/m3.Arabica coffee workers had worked longer in the coffee factories (AM 7years vs. 3.5 years) and had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio than Robusta coffee workers, though not significantly different. When the groups were merged, FEV1 correlated negatively with cumulative dust. After adjusting for confounders there was a decrease in FEV1 of 3 ml per mg/m3 per year (p=0.053).ConclusionExposures to dust and endotoxins in coffee processing factories are high and might cause decreased lung function. ER -