BIOAEROSOLS AND OCCUPATIONAL LUNG-DISEASE

Bioaerosols are formed by suspension of particles of biological origin in the air. They come from a wide range of sources, many of which are associated with particular occupations. Many of the components have been implicated in occupational lung disease. The agents include viruses: bacteria; actinomycete, fungal, moss and fern spores; algal and plant cells; insects and mites and their fragments and excreta; proteins from plant and animal sources: enzymes, antibiotics and other products from biotechnological processes; endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria: any mycotoxins and glucans from fungi. Infections from pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi may occur in some work environments but more often the symptoms encountered are of mucous membrane irritation, bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic rhinitis and asthma, allergic alveolitis (granulomatous pneumonitis) or organic dust toxic syndrome (inhalation fever or toxic pneumonitis). Exposure to bioaerosols may occur in many different occupations, especially those in which stored products are handled or where aerosols are created as a result of leaks from equipment intentionally or accidentally contaminated with microorganisms or during particular operations as, for instance, in laboratories and during post-mortem or surgical procedures. This article reviews the spectrum of agents involved in occupational lung disease, the work environments in which they occur, the characteristics of the diseases and their prevention.