engleski

Exposure to dust mites in occupational environments in Croatia: differences between inland and coastal regions

Exposure to pyroglyphid and non-pyroglyphid dust mites was studied in dust samples from urban and rural occupational environments located in the inland area of Croatia with moderate climate and in the coastal area with Mediterranean climate. The mites were separated from the dust using the floatation method and then microscopically identified. The levels of Der p 1, Der f 1 and Der 2 were measured using the DUSTSCREENTM test (Heska AG, Switzerland). In urban inland area, dust samples were collected from 2 offices, an archive of insurance company, a tobacco plant, a paper-recycling plant, a hospital, 2 textile plants and 2 samples of litter for laboratory rats (clean and after 2 days of use). Results showed Der p 1 levels below 0.5 &micro ; g/g of dust, Der f 1 and Der 2 levels below 0.3 &micro ; g/g in all samples. In urban coastal area, dust samples were collected from fish meal processing plant and winery, and the Der p 1, Der f 1 and Der 2 levels were not detectable in both samples. Microscopically, no mites were found in all occupational dust samples from urban inland and coastal areas. In rural inland area, dust samples were collected from barley, hay, animal food, flour and bone meal storehouses, 2 tailoring shops, a wood- processing plant and a pig farm. Der p 1, Der f 1 and Der 2 levels werre not detectable in all occupational dust samples from rural inland area. Microscopically, non-pyroglyphid mites (genera Lepidoglyphus, Tyrophagus, Acacrus and family Tarsonemidae) were found in dust samples from barley, hay and animal food storehouses, and pig farm. In rural coastal area, dust samples were collected from a shop storehouse and 5 fishing-boats for catching sardines, anchovies and tunas. Two dust samples were collected from each of 5 fishing-boats: a sample from cabin floor and a sample from cabin beds (mattresses and pillows). In beds, median Der p 1 level was 10&micro ; g/g ( range 0.1-15&micro ; ; g/g), median Der f 1 level was 0.2&micro ; g/g (range 0-6&micro ; g/g), and median Der 2 level was 3.5&micro ; ; g/g (range 0-10&micro ; g/g). In floor dust samples, median Der p 1 level was 0.05&micro ; g/g (range 0-0.65&micro ; g/g), median Der f 1 level was 0&micro ; g/g (range 0-0.1&micro ; g/g) and median Der 2 level was 0&micro ; g/g (range 0-0.1&micro ; g/g). Der p 1, Der f 1 and Der 2 levels were not detectable in a sample from shop storehouse. Microscopically, non-pyroglyphid mites (genera Lepidoglyphus, Acarus, Blomia and family Tarsonemidae) were found in dust samples from fishing-boats and shop storehouse. In conclusion, occupational exposure to pyroglyphid mites is established in cabins of fishing-boats, suggesting that pyroglyphid mites should be evaluated as work-related allergens for fishermen. Results of the study confirmed that non-pyroglyphid mites are occupational risk factors in various rural environments from inland and coastal region of Croatia.

pyroglyphid mites; non-pyroglyphid mites; occupational exposure; fishermen

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