Prevention of Respiratory Illness on the Farm

Respiratory Hazards Dusts Dusts Gases / Vapors Gases / Vapors Chemicals Chemicals

Where are the Hazards? Fields Fields Silos Silos Manure pits Manure pits Insecticides Insecticides Animal confinement buildings Animal confinement buildings

Three Categories of Hazards Particulate contaminants Dusts, fumes, mist Gases and vapors Pesticides & nitric oxide Oxygen-deficient atmospheres Sealed silos or storage for fruits / vegetables

Farmers Lung Inhalation of dust particles from moldy hay, straw, grain Inhalation of dust particles from moldy hay, straw, grain Accumulates in lungs Accumulates in lungs Lung inflammation Lung inflammation Delayed allergic reaction Delayed allergic reaction Microorganisms attach to dust Microorganisms attach to dust Affect 5-8% of those exposed Affect 5-8% of those exposed

Farmers Lung Symptoms Symptoms Presents 4-12 hours after exposure Presents 4-12 hours after exposure Cough Cough Chills Chills Labored breathing Labored breathing Muscle pain Muscle pain Subsides in 3-5 days Subsides in 3-5 days

Farmers Lung Prevention Prevention Wear respirator Wear respirator Inhibit mold growth Inhibit mold growth Reduce moisture content in silage Reduce moisture content in silage Handle dusty materials mechanically Handle dusty materials mechanically Use larger bales Use larger bales

Organic Toxic Dust Syndrome Lung inflammation Lung inflammation Concentrated exposure to moldy hay, straw, grain Concentrated exposure to moldy hay, straw, grain Similar to Farmers Lung Similar to Farmers Lung Symptoms Symptoms Prevention Prevention

Silo Fillers Disease Severe lung irritation Severe lung irritation Nitrogen oxides produced from fermenting silage Nitrogen oxides produced from fermenting silage Extremely toxic Extremely toxic Permanent lung damage Permanent lung damage

Silo Fillers Disease Dangerous exposures Entering silos within 3 weeks of loading Entering silos within 3 weeks of loading Produced within 2 hours of filling silo Produced within 2 hours of filling silo Reaches maximum in 2-3 days Reaches maximum in 2-3 days

Silo Fillers Disease Symptoms Symptoms Cough Cough Burning in the throat Burning in the throat Fever Fever Bronchitis Bronchitis Pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema Respiratory distress Respiratory distress

Silo Fillers Disease NEVER ENTER A NEWLY FILLED SILO FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS NEVER ENTER A NEWLY FILLED SILO FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS

Other Toxic Gas Exposures Manure gas Manure gas Pesticides Pesticides

Manure Gas Exposure Decomposition of animal urine & feces Decomposition of animal urine & feces Generates deadly gases Generates deadly gases

Manure storage Dangerous gases become trapped within manure Dangerous gases become trapped within manure Gases can be released at deadly level when manure is agitated Gases can be released at deadly level when manure is agitated

Manure Gas Exposure Symptoms Symptoms Cough Cough Phlegm build up Phlegm build up Scratchy throat Scratchy throat Runny nose Runny nose Watering eyes Watering eyes Headaches Headaches Wheezing Wheezing Shortness of breath Shortness of breath

Manure Gas Exposure Prevention Prevention Remove all people before pit agitation Remove all people before pit agitation Maximize ventilation respirator use Maximize ventilation respirator use Never enter a pit especially during or just after agitation Never enter a pit especially during or just after agitation

Always assume a manure pit has high concentrations of toxic gasses!

Chronic Bronchitis Chronic phlegm producing cough Chronic phlegm producing cough End result of a variety of exposures End result of a variety of exposures Lasts or recurs over years Lasts or recurs over years Can lead to Can lead to Shortness of breath Shortness of breath Reduced endurance Reduced endurance Permanent lung disease Permanent lung disease

Choosing the Right Respirator

Respirators Filter or block harmful respiratory substances Filter or block harmful respiratory substances Different respirators for different activities Different respirators for different activities Purchase one that is task specific Purchase one that is task specific Look for appropriate coding and for the substances for which you are protected Look for appropriate coding and for the substances for which you are protected Educate yourself with the most up-to-date information Educate yourself with the most up-to-date information

When should I wear a respirator? Anytime you may be exposed to environmental hazards that may cause respiratory illness. Anytime you may be exposed to environmental hazards that may cause respiratory illness.

Respirators Three components Three components 1. Facepiece / Head Harness The Respirator The Respirator 2. Chemical Cartridge Removes gas and vapor Removes gas and vapor 3. Particulate Filter / Pre-Filter Traps dusts, mists, and fumes Traps dusts, mists, and fumes

Facepiece / Head Harness Choice depends on Choice depends on Type and danger of contaminant Type and danger of contaminant Need for eye, face, body protection Need for eye, face, body protection Need for supplemental air / oxygen Need for supplemental air / oxygen Presence of facial hair Presence of facial hair

Negative Pressure Respirators Air flow depends on wearers breathing Air flow depends on wearers breathing

Half-mask Particulate Filter One-time use One-time use Protects against dust, mists, fumes Protects against dust, mists, fumes Shaped material held to the head with 2 straps Shaped material held to the head with 2 straps

Disposable Half-mask dual cartridge Protects against dust, mists, fumes Protects against dust, mists, fumes Contaminant specific Contaminant specific Maintenance free Maintenance free

Reusable Half-mask dual cartridge Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match contaminant Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match contaminant

Full-face Dual Cartridge Reusable Reusable Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match contaminant Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match contaminant Protects eyes & face Protects eyes & face

Positive Pressure Respirators Air flow powered by a fan Air flow powered by a fan Good for people with heart or lung conditions Good for people with beards who cannot get a tight fit Does not supply oxygen

Atmosphere Supplying Respirators Air is supplied from an outside source Air is supplied from an outside source

Supplied Air Respirator Air is supplied from a clean air source Air is supplied from a clean air source Used in spraying pesticide or paint Used in spraying pesticide or paint Some are equipped for Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) situations Some are equipped for Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) situations

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Provides an oxygen supply Provides an oxygen supply Similar to SCUBA gear worn by underwater divers Similar to SCUBA gear worn by underwater divers For use in IDLH situations For use in IDLH situations

Proper Respirator Fitting Respirators should fit snugly Respirators should fit snugly Follow manufacturers directions Follow manufacturers directions

Disposable Filter Face Piece Fit Check Cup hands over the front of mask Cup hands over the front of mask Inhale Inhale Does mask pull toward face? Does mask pull toward face? If yes, then working properly If yes, then working properly

Half-mask & Full Face Positive Pressure Fit Check Block exhalation valve with palm Block exhalation valve with palm Gently exhale Gently exhale Hold for 10 seconds Hold for 10 seconds Is face piece bulging? Is face piece bulging? If yes, then working properly If yes, then working properly

Cleaning your Respirator Follow manufacturers instructions Follow manufacturers instructions Disinfect following use Disinfect following use Wash your hands Wash your hands Hand wash face piece in warm water Hand wash face piece in warm water Clean inhalation and exhalation valves with disinfecting soap Clean inhalation and exhalation valves with disinfecting soap Let parts dry before reassembling Let parts dry before reassembling

What is a Particulate Filter? Traps dusts, mists, and fumes Traps dusts, mists, and fumes Look at the label that lists the substances from which the filter will protect you Look at the label that lists the substances from which the filter will protect you

What Kind of a Filter Should I Use? NIOSH* Coding system NIOSH* Coding system Resistance to oil based chemicals or pesticides that are sprayed Resistance to oil based chemicals or pesticides that are sprayed N = not resistant N = not resistant R = resistant to oil based chemicals R = resistant to oil based chemicals For 8 hours For 8 hours P = oil based chemical proof P = oil based chemical proof Sprayed longer than 8 hours Sprayed longer than 8 hours * National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

What Kind of a Filter Should I Use? Efficiency levels Efficiency levels 95% 95% 99% 99% 100% 100%

A unit coded P99 indicates that the filter is oil proof and at least 99% efficient

Can I Reuse a Filter? Yes, but… Yes, but… Change a filter when it becomes soiled or difficult to breathe through Change a filter when it becomes soiled or difficult to breathe through Washing or blowing out respirators, filters, or cartridges destroys them Washing or blowing out respirators, filters, or cartridges destroys them Replace them with a new unit Replace them with a new unit

What is a Chemical Cartridge? Removes gas and vapor Removes gas and vapor Can be used with particulate filters Can be used with particulate filters Pre-filters Pre-filters Look at the label that lists the substances from which the filter will protect you Look at the label that lists the substances from which the filter will protect you

What Kind of a Chemical Cartridge Should I Use? Colored cartridges Colored cartridges White = acid gas White = acid gas Black = organic vapors Black = organic vapors Green = ammonia gas Green = ammonia gas Yellow = acid gas and organic vapors Yellow = acid gas and organic vapors

Using the wrong cartridge can be extremely dangerous! Using the wrong cartridge can be extremely dangerous!

Can I Reuse a Chemical Cartridge? Change a cartridge when… Change a cartridge when… You smell or taste a substance You smell or taste a substance You have throat or respiratory irritation You have throat or respiratory irritation The end of each workday The end of each workday The respirator manufacturer or pesticide label requires it The respirator manufacturer or pesticide label requires it Washing or blowing out respirators, filters, or cartridges destroys them Washing or blowing out respirators, filters, or cartridges destroys them Replace them with a new unit Replace them with a new unit

How Should I Store my Respirator and Filters? Store in uncontaminated area Store in uncontaminated area Remove (reusable) cartridges Remove (reusable) cartridges Store in cool, dry place Store in cool, dry place Avoid direct sunlight Avoid direct sunlight Dry container Dry container Plastic bag or covered coffee can Plastic bag or covered coffee can Dont place anything on top of the respirator or cartridges during storage Dont place anything on top of the respirator or cartridges during storage

Where can I Purchase Respirators and Filters? General farm supply stores General farm supply stores Cooperatives Cooperatives Pharmacies Pharmacies Mail order Mail order

Acknowledgements The Dos and Donts of Respiratory Protection, 2 nd edition The Dos and Donts of Respiratory Protection, 2 nd edition Gemplers, Inc.