Bioaerosols and Occupational Hygiene in Agricultural Industries

SHELLEY KIRYCHUK, Bernardo Predicala, Lifeng Zhang, James Dosman, Brooke Thompson, Alejandra Castillo Toro, Caroline Duchaine, University of Saskatchewan

     Abstract Number: 594
     Working Group: Bioaerosols

Abstract
Bioaerosols are common contaminants produced and emitted from agricultural production operations. Concentration, makeup, and risk related to bioaerosols is dependent on many factors including operation type (confined or open), animal concentration, management practices, manure handling practices, etc. Occupational hygiene for bioaerosol exposures related to livestock operations considers exposure levels, health outcomes for workers and for neighbors, and control measures for exposures.

Research in poultry and swine confinement operations has revealed that endotoxins are an important component of bioaerosols with relationships to health outcomes of exposed workers. Other components of bioaerosols such as beta glucans, gram positive bacteria, and antibiotic resistant genes are also present. The hierarchy of control, in relation to exposures, has been evaluated. The impacts of masks and other bioaerosol control measures such as oil sprinkling, on worker health outcomes, have been shown to impact dust and endotoxin levels and reduce health responses. Review of these findings and discussion of current and future research considerations are important to next steps.