Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms among Grain Processing Workers

Abstract

sectional epidemiological studies have shown a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms among grain growers compared to workers who are not so exposed, even after control for the effect of smoking. An ingredient used in food products, flour dust is a fine powder obtained by grinding cereals or other edible products. the seeds of starchy plants are suitable for grinding, and flour contains a known high proportion of starch, a complex carbohydrate as a polysaccharide. Also called grain dust, it is a complex a mixture of components, including plant products, insect fragments, animal dandruff, feces of birds and rodents, microorganisms- isms, endotoxins and pollen.

It also contains a mixture of allergens and has been known to cause breathing problems among bakers and millers since the eighteenth century. It has been implicated as one of the high molecular weight asta genes causing occupational or work-related asthma. It accounts for 7-9% of all cases of occupational asthma.