Impact of worker education on respiratory symptoms and sensitization in bakeries

Abstract

Background: Flour exposure is known to cause significant respiratory problems.

Aims: To investigate the development of work-related sensitization, the period between first exposure and the development of symptoms (latent period) and the impact of workplace training programmes on respiratory health in plant bakers.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty-four bakers were investigated by assessing work-related respiratory symptoms and latent period before symptoms/sensitization, spirometry and testing for an array of workplace-specific IgE.

Results: There was a significant relationship between the presence of work-related respiratory symptoms and flour dust allergen-specific IgE. Latent periods varied widely: median for work-related nasal symptoms 36 months, cough 42 months and chest tightness 120 months. Latent periods were shorter for workers with evidence of flour sensitization (work-related wheeze: mean 13 months with sensitization, 97 months without, P < 0.05, work-related nasal symptoms, respectively; mean 19 months, 71 months, P < 0.01). Those warned of the health implications of flour dust had less work-related wheeze (warned; 1%, not warned 11%, P < 0.05). There was an excess of work-related symptoms and work-related-specific IgE combined in those who had not been warned of these health implications (12 versus 1%, P <0.01).

Conclusions: Reporting of 'being warned' of potential health implications from breathing flour dust protected strongly against the reporting of important health end points. Latent periods for the development of work-related symptoms varied widely. Simple health messages, which may be overlooked in worker training programmes, can have significant benefits for worker health in the bakery population.