Abstract |
During 1979-81 a prospective epidemiological study was conducted of compost workers in Camden, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; and Beltsville, MD. The study included air monitoring and clinical and serological evaluation of exposed and control workers. Clinical and serologic evaluation consisted of physical examinations, chest X-rays, illness and medical history, liver and kidney function profiles, nose and throat cultures, determination of antibody to LPS prepared from compost samples, skin testing with A. fumigatus antigen, quantitation of IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE, determination of C-reactive protein, levels of C3 and CH50, complete blood count with differential and pulmonary functions tests. Physical examinations revealed an excess of abnormal skin, ear, nose and eye conditions among compost-exposed workers. |