Respiratory Abnormalities in Workers Exposed to Grain Dust

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Abstract
Survey of 68 grain elevator agents in Southern Manitoba disclosed that 75% had respiratory symptoms. Chronic cough and sputum, and dyspnea associated with exposure to grain dust were common. These symptoms were reported in more than half of the smokers and ex-smokers and in more than one quarter of the nonsmokers. Twenty-seven percent of the subjects also developed systemic symptoms of “grain fever” after exposure to grain dust. Lung function tests demonstrated abnormal spirometric results in 37%, while estimation of the “closing volume” demonstrated abnormality in 42.5% of the subjects, even after the values have been standardized for smoking habit. The high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and abnormal lung function among these subjects indicated that exposure to grain dust was an important etiologic factor in their development. Hypersensitivity to grain dust was found in eight subjects by prick skin testing and in six subjects by precipitin test. There was no significant correlation between the presence of positive skin or precipitin test and clinical disease.

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