Mandryk J, Alwis K U, Hocking A D
Epidemiology Unit, National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, GPO Box 58, 2001, Sydney, Australia.
Ann Occup Hyg. 2000 Jun;44(4):281-9.
Three green mills and two dry mills were studied for personal exposure to wood dust and biohazards associated with wood dust and their correlation to lung function and work-related symptoms among sawmill workers. The levels of exposure to endotoxin, (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, bacteria and fungi were high in green mills compared with dry mills. Compared with dry mill workers, green mill workers had significantly high prevalence of regular cough, chronic bronchitis, regular blocked nose, regular sneezing, sinus problems, flu-like symptoms, and eye and throat irritation. Significant positive correlations were found among endotoxin and Gram (-)ve bacteria, (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan and fungi, and endotoxin and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure levels. Significant dose-response relationships were found for personal exposures and lung function, and lung function and work-related respiratory symptoms. The significant correlations found for respirable fractions show that not only inhalable but also respirable fractions are important in determining potential health effects of exposure to wood dust. The management and employees of the sawmilling industry should be educated on the potential health effects of wood dust. Wood dust should be controlled at the source.
对三家湿磨锯木厂和两家干磨锯木厂进行了研究，以了解锯木厂工人个人接触木尘以及与木尘相关的生物危害情况，及其与肺功能和工作相关症状之间的关联。与干磨锯木厂相比，湿磨锯木厂中内毒素、（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖、细菌和真菌的接触水平较高。与干磨锯木厂工人相比，湿磨锯木厂工人经常咳嗽、患慢性支气管炎、经常鼻塞、经常打喷嚏、有鼻窦问题、有流感样症状以及眼睛和喉咙受刺激的患病率显著更高。在内毒素与革兰氏阴性菌、（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖与真菌以及内毒素与（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖的接触水平之间发现了显著的正相关。在个人接触与肺功能以及肺功能与工作相关的呼吸道症状之间发现了显著的剂量反应关系。可吸入部分之间的显著相关性表明，不仅可吸入部分，而且可呼吸部分在确定接触木尘的潜在健康影响方面都很重要。锯木业的管理层和员工应接受关于木尘潜在健康影响的教育。应从源头控制木尘。
