Evaluation of respiratory effects related to high-pressure cleaning in a piggery with and without robot pre-cleaning.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Exposure in connection with cleaning piggeries induces airway inflammation. The aim of this study was to compare the health effects related to two different cleaning processes in a piggery. METHODS: In a cross-over study design, 12 subjects were randomly exposed for three hours during the cleaning of a piggery with a high pressure water jet, with and without pre-cleaning using a robot. We assessed lung function, bronchial responsiveness, symptoms, body temperature, and exhaled nitric oxide, and performed blood sampling and nasal lavage before and after both exposures. RESULTS: Compared with ordinary cleaning without the use of a robot, pre-cleaning with a robot significantly reduced the increase in bronchial responsiveness (P=0.049), total cell number (P=0.0029), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 level [P=0.016]) in nasal lavage, and diminished the increase in neutrophils (P=0.0029) in the blood. CONCLUSION: Pre-cleaning of a piggery with a robot reduced exposure to dust and endotoxin, and resulted in an attenuation of the increase in bronchial responsiveness and the airway inflammatory response compared pre-cleaning without a robot.

Author information

Author/s: Hiel, Deline (D); von Schéele, Ida (I); Sundblad, Britt-Marie (BM); Larsson, Kjell (K); Palmberg, Lena (L);

Affiliation: Lung and Allergy Research, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health (Scand J Work Environ Health), published in Finland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 35 (issue 5) : pp 376-83

Dates: Created 2009/09/04; Completed 2009/10/14;

PMID: 19705041, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 10/14/2009)

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