Agent Name |
Endotoxins |
Major Category |
Biological Agents |
Category |
Plant & Animal Dusts/Aerosols |
Comments |
The source of endotoxins are the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are the agents that cause mill fever and organic dust toxic syndrome. Significant concentrations of endotoxins are present in facilities of various industries: cotton and flax mills, grain silos, pulp and paper mills, sewage treatment plants, and animal confinement buildings. Other workers exposed to endotoxins include those processing compost, machining metal, and inhaling mists from contaminated humidifiers. After a heavy exposure, workers may develop fever and reduced pulmonary functional capacity. Repeatedly exposed workers develop tolerance showing a febrile response only after being away from the workplace for a weekend or longer (Monday morning fever). The causal role of endotoxin in byssinosis continues to be studied and debated. [Wald, p. 655-60] Low-dose endotoxin exposure may be beneficial to children, reducing the incidence of asthma. [Thorax 2002;57:86-90] |
Reference Link |
Decline in lung function related to exposure and selection processes among workers in the grain processing and animal feed industry.#http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=9764113&query_hl=6&itool= |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
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