Professional paper
PREVENTION MEASURES INTENDED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF 'FARMER'S LUNG' IN AGRICULTURAL WORKERS
Zlatko Šarić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7283-8871
; Hrvatski zavod za zaštitu zdravlja i sigurnost rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Andreja Cesar
; Hrvatski zavod za zaštitu zdravlja i sigurnost rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Dust from any mould found in hay, maize or tobacco may cause the disease known as 'farmer's lung'. Most endangered are the workers handling the infected crops, in particular when handling takes place in closed spaces and when workers do not use adequate personal protection to protect the respiratory organs. Implementation of some very simple protection measures that do not require great expenses will significantly reduce the risk of contracting 'farmer's lung'. Awareness is necessary of the risk to health for workers working in areas polluted with organic dust. According to the data gathered in the Register of Occupational Diseases maintained by the Croatian Institute for Health Protection and Safety at Work, there were 8 identified cases of 'farmer's lung' in the Republic of Croatia from 1998 to 2010. It is to be expected that the number of newly diagnosed cases will go up, as most family farming homesteads are not registered as businesses and are, therefore, not included in the occupational safety programs which makes their family members the most endangered group.
Keywords
dust; moldy crops; farmer's lung; handling
Hrčak ID:
93811
URI
Publication date:
18.12.2012.
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