Nasal lavage as analytical tool in assessment of exposure to particulate and microbial aerosols in wood pellet production facilities.

Occupational exposure to wood dust and bioaerosols may lead to numerous respiratory tract diseases. We aimed to assess a degree of workplace contamination with dust, bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucans released into the air during wood processing in pellet production facilities and to check against this background the usefulness of nasal lavage (NAL) as analytical tool for assessment of combined workers' exposure to airborne dust and microbiological contaminants. In 10 pellet plants, the particulate (wood dust) aerosol concentrations were determined by using Grimm aerosol spectrometer and CIS filter sampler. The collected CIS samples were subsequently used to evaluate endotoxin and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan concentrations. Simultaneously with particulate aerosol, bioaerosol samples were collected by using 6-stage Andersen and single-stage MAS impactors. Bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations were calculated and all isolated microorganisms were taxonomically identified. NAL fluid samples were collected from workers exposed to studied aerosols and the concentrations of proinflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα) and cytological image of nasal mucosa (expressed as cell counts) were established. The dynamics of production activities resulted in wide range of observed wood dust, microorganism, endotoxin and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan concentrations reaching periodically extremely high values up to 65 mg m, 19,320 CFU m, 215 ng m and 1525 ng m, respectively. Environmental stress caused by exposure to particulate and microbial aerosols stimulated immune response among workers of pellet production facilities. Correlation analysis revealed that interleukin levels and the number of cells in NAL were significantly affected by both wood dust and bioaerosol concentrations. As nasal mucosa serves as the primary barrier against inhaled pollutants, NAL seems a reliable analytical material to assess work-related adverse respiratory health outcomes derived from such exposure.