Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure to dust and endotoxin produced while working at swine confinement buildings. The dusts and endotoxin may cause adverse health effects on humans. Fourteen swine farms located at Yong-In, I-Cheon and Yeo-Ju of Kyonggi-do were investigated. Husbandry workers from the farms were requested to wear personal sampler to measure respirable dust levels. Area samplings for total and respirable dust were also conducted at swine confinements buildings by season (summer under window open, winter under window close). Gravimetric analyses and Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay for measu- rement of dust level and endotoxin, respectively. The highest geometric mean (GM) concentration of airborne dusts was 7.47㎎/㎥ for area total dust, 1.4㎎/㎥ for area respirable dust, and 10.35㎎/㎥ for personal respirable dustFor respirable dust levels, seven farmers exceeded level of ACGIH, 3mg/m3. The highest GM of endo- toxin was 5745.40 EU/㎥ for area total dust, 905.7 EU/㎥ for area respirable dust, and 4310.85 EU/m3 for personal respirable dust. Significantly increased level of total dust (p<0.001) and endotoxin in area total dust was observed with winter samples compared with those of summer. Area total dust and area respirable dust (r=0.622, p<0.001) was very significantly correlated in winter. Swine husbandry worker may have a considerable risk of ill health when exposed to level of dust or endotoxin demo- nstrated at this study.