| Agent Name |
Endotoxins |
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| Major Category |
Biological Agents |
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| Category |
Plant & Animal Dusts/Aerosols |
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| Sources/Uses |
Acute lung function changes associated with endotoxin levels have been measured in occupationl environments: pig farming, animal feed, grain processing, waste and compost industry, and agricultural seeds (grass, cereal, or vegetable). [PMID 16361407] Levels in wastewater treatment plants are generally low, but higher levels may occur in indoor worksites like sludge dewatering areas. [PMID 15940720] |
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| 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] Typical endotoxin levels in EU/m3 are 152 -13080 in poultry houses, 0.4 -101 in greenhouses, and 8-63 in mattress dust. Higher occupational endotoxin levels are associated with increased chronic bronchitis and non-atopic asthma and decreased allergic rhinitis and atopic asthma. [Reference #2] |
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| 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= |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Relatively low endotoxin levels of 50-500 EU/m3 over 8 hours may cause across-shift decline in lung function. An exposure limit of 50 EU/m3 has been recommended. [PMID 16361407] |
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| Reference Link |
The two sides of the "endotoxin coin". [Occup Environ Med. 2006] - PubMed Result |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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