Poultry Processing Work and Respiratory Health of Latino Men and Women in North Carolina

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Mark R. Schulz, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate associations between poultry processing work and respiratory health among working Latino men and women in North Carolina. Methods: Between May 2009 and November 2010, 402 poultry processing workers and 339 workers in a comparison population completed interviewer-administered questionnaires. Of these participants, 279 poultry processing workers and 222 workers in the comparison population also completed spirometry testing to provide measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity. Results: Nine percent of poultry processing workers and 10% of workers in the comparison population reported current asthma. Relative to the comparison population, adjusted mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were lower in the poultry processing population, particularly among men who reported sanitation job activities. Conclusions: Despite the low prevalence of respiratory symptoms reported, poultry processing work may affect lung function.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 54 (2), 177-183
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
Occupational Health, Occupational Safety, Respiratory Health, Latinos, Manual Labor, Poultry Processing

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