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Med. Pr. 2000;51(4)

Micoflora of the agricultural work environment as an occupational risk factor

Mikoflora rolniczego środowiska pracy czynnikiem narażenia zawodowego

E. Krysińska-Traczyk

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the studies concerning the air mould fungi concentration in the work environment during grain threshing, flax breaking and thyme cleaning. A high level of fungi was observed in the air at all workplaces with the highestconcentrations during grain threshing. Of the total number of 12 farms, in 8 the air mould fungi concentration exceeded the proposed standard of 50 000 CFU/m3. Among the species containing cereals, flax and thyme, mould fungi of Alternaria alternata sp.- an etiologic factor of allergic respiratory diseases - occurred most frequently. During flax breaking, the presence of fungi of Fusarium poae sp., which affect grain husks and cause a great economic loss in agriculture, was observed. Mould fungi of Aspergillus candidus sp. were found during thyme cleaning. These fungi have been reported to be an etiologic factor of organic dust toxic syndrome among secondary school students employed in the grain dust environment polluted with the spores of Aspergil The results obtained show that the agricultural work environment is considerably polluted with the spores of mould fungi of allergenic and immunotoxic properties, which cause a high degree of health risk to people employed in agriculture.