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Thomsen GFSchlünssen V, Skadhauge LRMalling THSherson DLSigsgaard T

BMC Pulm Med. 2015 Apr 9;15:33. doi: 10.1186/s12890-015-0021-3

Change in airway inflammatory markers in Danish energy plant workers during a working week.

INTRODUCTION:

It is well known that exposure to organic dust can cause adverse respiratory effect. The pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) in the organic dust, such as endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria cell wall and fungal components, can trigger the release of cytokine (e.g. Interleukin 1β (IL-1β)) and chemokine (e.g. Interleukin 8 (IL-8)) from the immune cells in the airways.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the potential inflammatory effects of organic dust exposure in energy plants in Denmark.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Nasal lavage (NAL) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were sampled at Monday morning (referred to as before work) and again at Thursday afternoon (referred to as after work). NAL IL-8, EBC pH, IL-1β concentration were measured. Personal exposure to endotoxin and dust was calculated from time spent on different tasks and measured average work area exposures.

RESULTS:

Before work, workers from biofuel plants had a higher IL-1β and IL-8 concentration compared to conventional fuel plants (control group). Specifically, the IL-1β level of moderately and most exposed group, and IL-8 level of the least exposed group were higher compared to the control group. The changes of IL-1β, pH and IL-8 during a work week were not significant. Workers with rhinitis had a lower percentage change of IL-8 compared to healthy workers.

CONCLUSIONS:

An increased level of EBC IL-1β in biofuel energy plant workers before work indicated a chronic or sub-chronic inflammation. The percentage change of IL-8 was lower in workers with rhinitis compared to healthy workers

Zheng Y, Schlünssen V, Bønløkke J, Madsen AM, Skov S, Sigsgaard T.

Ann Agric Environ Med. 2014;21(3):534-40. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1120597

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25292124