Respiratory illness and farming

ACCORDING to the Collaborative Partnership for Farming and Fishing Health and Safety, farmers and farm workers are at greater risk of developing respiratory illness symptoms and decline in lung function as a result of their occupation.

Those working in an agricultural setting are exposed to dust, moulds, pollen, animal dander, soil dust, welding fumes and diesel exhaust, which can all contribute to serious respiratory problems.

Studies have shown respiratory illness in farm workers has risen as a result of prolonged exposure to dust and bioaerosol exposures including endotoxins and gases.

Dust in the lungs has both short- and long-term effects. Fatigue or shortness of breath are common short-term symptoms, while long-term exposure can be accompanied by congestion, coughing or wheezing, sensitivity to dust, and frequent respiratory infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Prolonged exposure to dust can result in serious respiratory illnesses such as farmer’s lung, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and organic dust toxic syndrome. Conditions such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis are also associated with long-term inhalation.

Prevention is the ideal medicine

The key to avoiding respiratory illness is to use protective equipment such as a respirator when working in dusty conditions, or around chemicals such as pesticides, anhydrous ammonia, cleaning solvents and disinfectants.

A easy dust mask — a flexible pad held over the nose and mouth by elastic or rubber straps — can help protect against dust inhalation. While extremely effective with dusk, it is important to remember that these masks usually don’t protect against chemicals such as vapors or mist.

Many dusty conditions on the farm can be improved with the use of an air-purifying respirator which provides protection from dust and mists. This device fits over the nose and mouth and uses a filter or cartridge to mechanically remove dust particles from the air as the wearer breathes.

Dust particles vary in size from coarse (non-inhalable), to fine (inhalable), to very fine (respirable). Coarse dust particles generally only reach as far as the inside of the nose, mouth or throat. Finer particles can, however, get much deeper into the sensitive regions of the respiratory tract and lungs and have a greater potential to cause serious harm.

For more information on farming and fishing safety visit www.rirdc.gov.au

The Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Program is a collaborative partnership between the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Sugar Research and Development Corporation, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Department of Health and Ageing.

More source:

Respiratory illness in agricultural workers.
Farmer's Lung: Causes and Symptoms of Mold and Dust Induced ...
Organic Dust and Respiratory Disease in Agriculture
XM0227.CHP:Corel VENTURA

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Submited at Friday, April 8th, 2011 at 3:00 am on Uncategorized by ethan
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