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(Chest. 2007;131:245-254.)
© 2007 American College of Chest Physicians

Lung Function and Farm Size Predict Healthy Worker Effect in Swine Farmers*

Liliane Chénard, PEng, MSc; Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan, PhD; Vaneeta K. Grover, MSc, MA; Shelley P. Kirychuk, RN, MSc; Joshua A. Lawson, MSc; Thomas S. Hurst, MVet Sc, FCCP and James A. Dosman, MD, FCCP

* From the Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health (Ms. Chénard, Ms. Grover, Ms. Kirychuk, and Dr. Dosman), Department of Medicine (Dr. Hurst), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK; and the Department of Public Health Sciences (Dr. Senthilselvan and Mr. Lawson), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Correspondence to: Liliane Chénard, PEng, MSc, Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Dr, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada; email: lccl82{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Swine farmers are exposed to a number of airborne contaminants associated with respiratory ill health.

Objectives: To examine the factors associated with healthy worker effect in the swine industry from a longitudinal follow-up of farmers at 4 years and 13 years.

Design: A prospective study of swine farmers and nonexposed rural residents was conducted using similar questionnaires and same spirometer at each time point.

Results: In the original observations in 1990/1991, we studied 302 swine farmers and 261 nonfarming control subjects. Four years later in 1994/1995, 217 swine farmers and 171 nonfarming control subjects of the original group participated again. In 2003/2004, 163 swine farmers and 118 control subjects were retested. Of the 163 swine farmers, 52 remained active swine farmers and 111 were no longer swine farming, thus providing the opportunity to evaluate work continuity in the industry. Among farmers studied in 2003/2004, mean values for percentage of predicted FEV1/FVC ratio and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC were lower in those who had quit swine farming compared to those still swine farming and nonfarming control subjects. The herd size in the barn at baseline in 1990/1991 and at interim follow-up in 1994/1995 was a significant predictor of quitting swine farming. In addition, percentage of predicted FEV1/FVC at the interim observation was a significant predictor of quitting swine farming.

Conclusions: There is a significant healthy worker effect among swine farmers. The continuation of work in the facilities may be predicted by herd size and interim lung function.

Key Words: farm size • healthy worker effect • longitudinal study • lung function • swine farmers






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