Exposure and IgG Antibodies to Mold Spores in Wood Trimmers: Exposure—Response Relationships with Respiratory Symptoms

Abstract

Respiratory and febrile symptoms were studied by a self-administered questionnaire and related to serum IgG antibodies to Rbizopus microsporus among 212 wood trimmers from 31 sawmills. Antibody levels to R. microsporus and exposure to mold spores were related to symptoms of the upper and lower respiratory tract and chills. A relationship was found between tight chest and exposure to wood dust, but this was probably due to correlation with exposure to R. microsporus spores. The group mean antibody level to R. microsporus was a better predictor of symptoms than the individual antibody level. Personal exposure to mold spores and wood dust particles was also measured for 107 wood trimmers from 10 sawmills. Relationships were found between group mean exposure levels to mold spores and symptoms of the upper respiratory tract. A relationship was also found between tight chest after handling of moldy timber and group mean exposure levels to R. microsporus spores. Exposure to spores from R. microsporus and probably also from other mold species is the most probable cause of respiratory symptoms and chills among wood trimmers. Exposure levels exceeding approximately 10⁶ spores m^-3 (2 to 4 weeks weighted average) were related to increased prevalence of symptoms. Eduard, W.; Sandven, P.; Levy, F.: Exposure and IgG Antibodies to Mold Spores in Wood Trimmers: Exposure-Response Relationships With Respiratory Symptoms. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 9(1):44–48;1994.