Respiratory Protection Behavior and Respiratory Indices among Poultry House Workers on Small, Family-Owned Farms in North Carolina: A Pilot Project. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kearney, Gregory D.; Gallagher, Barbara; Shaw, Robert
• Is Part Of: Journal of agromedicine. Volume 21:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Agricultural workers -- lung function -- nitric oxide -- occupational safety; Agriculture -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Agricultural laborers -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2016.1143429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-924X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate respiratory behavior and respiratory indices of poultry workers on family-owned, poultry farms with 10 or less employees in North Carolina. A field study was conducted to collect data on participants ( N = 24) using spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (Feno ), and an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The majority of workers (76%) ranked respiratory protection as being important, yet 48% reported never or rarely wearing respiratory protection when working in dusty conditions. A large percent of workers reported eye (55%) and nasal (50%) irritation and dry cough (50%). On average, pulmonary lung function and Feno tests were normal among nonsmokers. In bivariate analysis, significant associations were identified between working 7 days on the farm ( P = .01), with eye irritation, and working 5 or fewer years in poultry farming ( P = .01). Poultry workers on family-owned farms spend a considerable amount of work time in poultry houses and report acute respiratory-related health symptoms. Administrative controls among small, family-owned poultry farms are necessary to improve and promote safety and health to its employees.