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. 2015 Dec;58(12):1235-45.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.22533. Epub 2015 Nov 2.

Respiratory morbidity in a coffee processing workplace with sentinel obliterative bronchiolitis cases

Rachel L Bailey  1 , Jean M Cox-Ganser  1 , Matthew G Duling  1 , Ryan F LeBouf  1 , Stephen B Martin Jr  1 , Toni A Bledsoe  2 , Brett J Green  2 , Kathleen Kreiss  1
Affiliations

Respiratory morbidity in a coffee processing workplace with sentinel obliterative bronchiolitis cases

Rachel L Bailey et al. Am J Ind Med. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Rationale: Obliterative bronchiolitis in former coffee workers prompted a cross-sectional study of current workers. Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione levels were highest in areas for flavoring and grinding/packaging unflavored coffee.

Methods: We interviewed 75 (88%) workers, measured lung function, and created exposure groups based on work history. We calculated standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) for symptoms and spirometric abnormalities. We examined health outcomes by exposure groups.

Results: SMRs were elevated 1.6-fold for dyspnea and 2.7-fold for obstruction. The exposure group working in both coffee flavoring and grinding/packaging of unflavored coffee areas had significantly lower mean ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity and percent predicted mid-expiratory flow than workers without such exposure.

Conclusion: Current workers have occupational lung morbidity associated with high diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposures, which were not limited to flavoring areas.

Keywords: 2,3-pentanedione; asthma; coffee; diacetyl; flavorings; obliterative bronchiolitis.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Mean 2,3-pentanedione and diacetyl air sampling results (OSHA method 1012) by location at coffee processing facility, NIOSH industrial hygiene survey, November 2012. Offices-nonproduction includes reception area; warehouse includes the green coffee warehouse and finished goods warehouse; offices-production category also includes corridor, break room, and maintenance room air samples; grinding/packaging room category also includes the tea machine and hold room air samples; all-over includes material handlers and maintenance technicians. LEV, local exhaust ventilation; ppb, parts per billion.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Mean 2,3-pentanedione and diacetyl personal air sampling results (OSHA method 1012) by job title at coffee processing facility, NIOSH industrial hygiene survey, November 2012. Note: PACK, grinding/packaging room; FLAV, flavoring room; ppb, parts per billion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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