Respiratory symptoms, lung functions, and exhaled nitric oxide (FE_NO) in two types of fish processing workers: Russian trawler fishermen and Norwegian salmon industry workers

Abstract

Objective:

Respiratory outcomes and work-related factors were studied in two seafood worker populations representing different occupational environments.

Methods:

Levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE_NO), spirometric values, prevalence of respiratory symptoms, and self-evaluated exposures were compared between 139 Norwegian salmon workers and 127 Russian trawler workers.

Results:

Increased odds ratios (ORs) of shortness of breath with wheezing and prolonged cough as general respiratory symptoms were found in salmon workers, while increased ORs of work-related dry cough and running nose were found in trawler fishermen. Both worker groups ranked “cold work environment,” “use of disinfectants,” and “contaminated indoor air” as the first, second, and third most important causes of work-related respiratory symptoms, respectively. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels were higher in asthmatic trawler workers compared to asthmatic salmon workers.

Conclusions:

Respiratory symptoms commonly associated with obstructive airway diseases were more prevalent in salmon workers, while symptoms commonly associated with asthma and short-term effects of cold air exposure were more prevalent in trawler workers.

Keywords:

• Respiratory symptoms
• Asthma
• Seafood workers
• FE_NO
• Spirometry
• Epidemiology
• Ambient temperatures