Prevention of Respiratory Illness on the Farm

1
Prevention of Respiratory Illness on the Farm
2
Respiratory Hazards

• Dusts
• Gases / Vapors
• Chemicals

3
Where are the Hazards?

• Fields
• Silos
• Manure pits
• Insecticides
• Animal confinement buildings

4
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

5
Farmers Lung

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

6
Farmers Lung

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

7
Farmers Lung

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

8
Organic Toxic Dust Syndrome

• Lung inflammation
• Concentrated exposure to moldy hay, straw, grain
• Similar to Farmers Lung
• Symptoms
• Prevention

9
Silo Fillers Disease

• Severe lung irritation
• Nitrogen oxides produced from fermenting silage
• Extremely toxic
• Permanent lung damage

10
Silo Fillers Disease

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

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Silo Fillers Disease

• Symptoms
• Cough
• Burning in the throat
• Fever
• Bronchitis
• Pulmonary edema
• Respiratory distress

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Silo Fillers Disease

• NEVER ENTER A NEWLY FILLED SILO FOR AT LEAST
  THREE WEEKS

13
Other Toxic Gas Exposures

• Manure gas
• Pesticides

14
Manure Gas Exposure

• Decomposition of animal urine feces
• Generates deadly gases

15
Manure storage

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

16
Manure Gas Exposure

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

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Manure Gas Exposure

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

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

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

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Choosing the Right Respirator
21
Respirators

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

22
When should I wear a respirator?

• Anytime you may be exposed to environmental
  hazards that may cause respiratory illness.

23
Respirators

• Three components
• Facepiece / Head Harness
• The Respirator
• Chemical Cartridge
• Removes gas and vapor
• Particulate Filter / Pre-Filter
• Traps dusts, mists, and fumes

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Facepiece / Head Harness

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

25
Negative Pressure Respirators

• Air flow depends on wearers breathing

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Half-mask Particulate Filter

• One-time use
• Protects against dust, mists, fumes
• Shaped material held to the head with 2 straps

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Disposable Half-mask dual cartridge

• Protects against dust, mists, fumes
• Contaminant specific
• Maintenance free

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Reusable Half-mask dual cartridge

• Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match
  contaminant

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Full-face Dual Cartridge

• Reusable
• Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match
  contaminant
• Protects eyes face

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Positive Pressure Respirators

• 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

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Atmosphere Supplying Respirators

• Air is supplied from an outside source

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Supplied Air Respirator

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

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Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

• Provides an oxygen supply
• Similar to SCUBA gear worn by underwater divers
• For use in IDLH situations

34
Proper Respirator Fitting

• Respirators should fit snugly
• Follow manufacturers directions

35
Disposable Filter Face Piece Fit Check

• Cup hands over the front of mask
• Inhale
• Does mask pull toward face?
• If yes, then working properly

36
Half-mask Full Face Positive Pressure Fit
Check

• Block exhalation valve with palm
• Gently exhale
• Hold for 10 seconds
• Is face piece bulging?
• If yes, then working properly

37
Cleaning your Respirator

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

38
What is a Particulate Filter?

• Traps dusts, mists, and fumes
• Look at the label that lists the substances from
  which the filter will protect you

39
What Kind of a Filter Should I Use?

• NIOSH Coding system
• Resistance to oil based chemicals or pesticides
  that are sprayed
• N not resistant
• R resistant to oil based chemicals
• For 8 hours
• P oil based chemical proof
• Sprayed longer than 8 hours
• National Institute of Occupational Safety and
  Health

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What Kind of a Filter Should I Use?

• Efficiency levels
• 95
• 99
• 100

41

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

42
Can I Reuse a Filter?

• Yes, but
• Change a filter when it becomes soiled or
  difficult to breathe through
• Washing or blowing out respirators, filters, or
  cartridges destroys them
• Replace them with a new unit

43
What is a Chemical Cartridge?

• Removes gas and vapor
• Can be used with particulate filters
• Pre-filters
• Look at the label that lists the substances from
  which the filter will protect you

44
What Kind of a Chemical Cartridge Should I Use?

• Colored cartridges
• White acid gas
• Black organic vapors
• Green ammonia gas
• Yellow acid gas and organic vapors

45

• Using the wrong cartridge can be extremely
  dangerous!

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Can I Reuse a Chemical Cartridge?

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

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How Should I Store my Respirator and Filters?

• Store in uncontaminated area
• Remove (reusable) cartridges
• Store in cool, dry place
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Dry container
• Plastic bag or covered coffee can
• Dont place anything on top of the respirator or
  cartridges during storage

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Where can I Purchase Respirators and Filters?

• General farm supply stores
• Cooperatives
• Pharmacies
• Mail order

49
Acknowledgements

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