Dust and flour aeroallergen exposure in flour mills and bakeries

Occup Environ Med. 1994 Sep;51(9):584-8. doi: 10.1136/oem.51.9.584.

Abstract

As part of an epidemiological study among workers exposed to flour total dust and flour aeroallergen concentrations were measured with personal samplers over a workshift in three large bakeries and four flour mills and packing stations. In the bakeries geometric means for total dust concentrations ranged from 0.4 mg/m3 in the bread wrapping area up to 6.4 mg/m3 at the dough brake. The flour aeroallergen concentrations ranged from 45.5 micrograms/m3 in the bread wrapping area up to 252.0 micrograms/m3 in the confectionary area. In the flour mills and packing stations the concentrations were higher with geometric means for total dust ranging from 0.5 mg/m3 in the office up to 16.9 mg/m3 for hygiene workers in an old mill. The flour aeroallergen concentrations ranged from 101.5 micrograms/m3 for transport workers up to 1728.2 micrograms/m3 for hygiene workers. The relation between total dust and flour aeroallergen concentrations varied for different areas and depended on the use of products other than flour.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / analysis*
  • Dust / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Flour / analysis*
  • Food Handling*
  • Humans
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Occupations
  • Workplace

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Dust