Abstract

A high incidence of respiratory disease and hypersensitivity to flour dust has been reported among workers in the flour milling industry. This project will focus on the problem of respiratory disease caused by hypersensitivity to flour dust among workers in the flour mills and grain silos of Sudan. Researchers will monitor the environmental conditions with respect to dust concentration, particle size, temperature and humidity; determine the prevalence of respiratory disease among a group of workers and controls; establish an allergic profile of the workers, particularly with respect to flour dust allergen; and study whether there is a link between the presence of flour-dust hypersensitivity and the development of respiratory disease.

Post-Project Summary

This project determined that wheat and/or flour dust played a definite role in the ill health experienced by exposed workers. Researchers carried out epidemiological surveys in Sudan among 237 workers of two flour mills, 132 workers of a grain silo, and a control group of 71 workers. As well, medical examinations and spirometry were performed on-site. Of the workers exposed to wheat/flour dust, 29.5% complained of allergy with 80% of this affected group having respiratory complaints. Other symptoms were ophthalmic, cutaneous, fever, and headache. Incidence of bronchospasm was 22% and 13.8% among allergic and nonallergic exposed groups respectively, compared to 2.8% in the control group. In exposed groups, skin prick tests using various antigens produced a high response rate to mixed moulds and grain dust compared to pure wheat extracts. Dust concentration was measured with results exceeding threshold limit values in all screened locations. Researchers made recommendations on control measures that included health education; automation; well-made grain sacks; disinfection of grain; use of masks; personal hygiene; temperature and relative humidity control; good ventilation; and periodic medical examinations.

Recipient Institution(s)