NONSMOKING GRAIN HANDLERS IN SASKATCHEWAN - AIRWAYS REACTIVITY AND ALLERGIC STATUS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (5) , 342-346
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine whether respiratory disease in Saskatchewan [Canada] grainhandlers was or was not due to hypersensitivity to grain dust. Nonsmoking grainhandlers (60), half of whom had low FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1 s]/FVC [forced vital capacity] ratios and half of whom had high, were studied. The findings in grainhandlers were compared with those in 30 age-matched, nonsmoking teachers. In the group of grainhandlers with low FEV1/FVC ratios, 1 developed asthma associated with exposure to grain dust. The majority were healthy, had FEV1/FVC ratios of 70% or greater and had less evidence of allergic respiratory disease than age-matched teachers. Non-atopic, nonsmoking men can apparently work in grain elevators without developing respiratory disability, though they may develop a small but significant increase in nonspecific bronchial reactivity to histamine.

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