AAAR 35th Annual Conference October 17 - October 21, 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
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Effect of Inhalable Exposures on Cytokine Levels in Workers in Northern Colorado Dairies
KIMBERLY ANDERSON, Joshua Schaeffer, John Mehaffy, Mary Bradford, Jessy Tryon, Amanda VanDyke, Stephen Reynolds, T. Renee Anthony, Darrah Sleeth, Christian L'Orange, John Volckens, Colorado State University
Abstract Number: 589 Working Group: Health Related Aerosols
Abstract Exposure to bioaerosols is associated with a multitude of adverse health effects (asthma, chronic bronchitis, wheeze and cough. The Personal Inhalable High-Flow Sampling Head (PHISH) sampler is a new low-cost, disposable inhalable sampler that operates at 10 L/min. This study evaluated worker exposures to dust and endotoxin in dairy parlors using PHISH, 37-mm CFC, and Button samplers. Inflammation of the upper respiratory system was evaluated by evaluating cytokine levels in nasal lavage. Personal air monitoring was conducted over three work shifts and on the workers’ day off to quantify inhalable dust and endotoxin. Samples were analyzed gravimetrically and compared between the PHISH, CFC, and Button. Post-shift nasal lavage fluids were assessed for interleukin 1-beta, 6, 8 and 10 (IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10), TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. Total endotoxin concentrations for the PHISH sampler were 12 times higher than those measured in the CFC sampler. Differences in cytokine levels were identified by gender and smoking status. In general, women had lower baseline cytokine levels compared to men, and a more substantial increase in cytokine levels after one day of exposure. Current smokers had higher baseline levels of TNF-alpha, IL1-beta, and IL-10. Levels of IL1, IL-6, and IL-8 decreased with increasing number of days worked. Levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma increased slightly with increased number of days worked. No significant differences were seen in cytokine expression or in pulmonary function between new workers (<1 year) compared to participants who have worked for longer than one year. Preliminary data analysis suggests that baseline cytokine level, gender, smoking status, season, and dairy have an effect on cytokine levels. The PHISH mass concentration and total endotoxin units had slightly stronger correlations between most cytokine levels compared to the CFC mass concentration and endotoxin levels.