Prevention of Respiratory Prevention of Respiratory Illness on the FarmIllness on the Farm

Respiratory HazardsRespiratory HazardsDustsDustsGases / VaporsGases / VaporsChemicalsChemicals

Where are the Hazards?Where are the Hazards?FieldsFieldsSilosSilosManure pitsManure pitsInsecticidesInsecticidesAnimal confinement buildingsAnimal confinement buildings

Three Categories of HazardsThree Categories of HazardsParticulate contaminants

Dusts, fumes, mistGases and vapors

Pesticides & nitric oxideOxygen-deficient atmospheres

Sealed silos or storage for fruits / vegetables

Farmer’s LungFarmer’s Lung Inhalation of dust particles from moldy hay, straw, Inhalation of dust particles from moldy hay, straw,

grain grain

Accumulates in lungsAccumulates in lungs

Lung inflammationLung inflammation Delayed allergic reaction Delayed allergic reaction Microorganisms attach to dustMicroorganisms attach to dust

Affect 5-8% of those exposedAffect 5-8% of those exposed

Farmer’s LungFarmer’s LungSymptomsSymptoms

Presents 4-12 hours after exposurePresents 4-12 hours after exposureCoughCoughChillsChillsLabored breathing Labored breathing Muscle painMuscle painSubsides in 3-5 daysSubsides in 3-5 days

Farmer’s LungFarmer’s LungPreventionPrevention

Wear respiratorWear respirator Inhibit mold growthInhibit mold growthReduce moisture content in silageReduce moisture content in silageHandle dusty materials Handle dusty materials

mechanicallymechanicallyUse larger balesUse larger bales

Organic Toxic Dust SyndromeOrganic Toxic Dust Syndrome

Lung inflammationLung inflammationConcentrated exposure to moldy Concentrated exposure to moldy

hay, straw, grainhay, straw, grain

Similar to Farmer’s LungSimilar to Farmer’s LungSymptomsSymptomsPreventionPrevention

Silo Filler’s DiseaseSilo Filler’s Disease

Severe lung irritationSevere lung irritation

Nitrogen oxides produced from fermenting Nitrogen oxides produced from fermenting silagesilage Extremely toxicExtremely toxic Permanent lung damagePermanent lung damage

Silo Filler’s DiseaseSilo Filler’s Disease

Dangerous exposuresDangerous exposures

Entering silos within 3 weeks of loadingEntering silos within 3 weeks of loading

Produced within 2 hours of filling siloProduced within 2 hours of filling silo

Reaches maximum in 2-3 days Reaches maximum in 2-3 days

Silo Filler’s DiseaseSilo Filler’s DiseaseSymptomsSymptoms

CoughCoughBurning in the throatBurning in the throatFeverFeverBronchitisBronchitisPulmonary edemaPulmonary edemaRespiratory distressRespiratory distress

Silo Filler’s DiseaseSilo Filler’s Disease NEVER ENTER NEVER ENTER

A NEWLY A NEWLY FILLED SILO FILLED SILO FOR AT LEAST FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKSTHREE WEEKS

Other Toxic Gas ExposuresOther Toxic Gas Exposures

Manure gasManure gas

PesticidesPesticides

Manure Gas ExposureManure Gas Exposure

Decomposition of Decomposition of animal urine & animal urine & fecesfeces

Generates deadly Generates deadly gasesgases

Manure storageManure storage

Dangerous gases become trapped Dangerous gases become trapped within manurewithin manure

Gases can be released at deadly Gases can be released at deadly level when manure is agitatedlevel when manure is agitated

Manure Gas ExposureManure Gas Exposure SymptomsSymptoms

CoughCough Phlegm build upPhlegm build up Scratchy throatScratchy throat Runny noseRunny nose Watering eyesWatering eyes HeadachesHeadaches WheezingWheezing Shortness of breathShortness of breath

Manure Gas ExposureManure Gas Exposure PreventionPrevention

Remove all people before pit agitationRemove all people before pit agitation Maximize ventilation respirator useMaximize ventilation respirator use Never enter a pit especially during or Never enter a pit especially during or

just after agitationjust after agitation

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

Chronic BronchitisChronic Bronchitis Chronic phlegm producing coughChronic phlegm producing cough End result of a variety of exposuresEnd result of a variety of exposures Lasts or recurs over yearsLasts or recurs over years Can lead toCan lead to

Shortness of breathShortness of breath Reduced enduranceReduced endurance Permanent lung diseasePermanent lung disease

Choosing the Choosing the Right RespiratorRight Respirator

RespiratorsRespirators Filter or block harmful respiratory Filter or block harmful respiratory

substancessubstances Different respirators for different activitiesDifferent respirators for different activities Purchase one that is task specificPurchase one that is task specific

Look for appropriate coding and for the Look for appropriate coding and for the substances for which you are protectedsubstances for which you are protected

Educate yourself with the most up-to-date Educate yourself with the most up-to-date informationinformation

When should I When should I wear a respirator?wear a respirator?

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

RespiratorsRespirators Three componentsThree components

1.1. Facepiece / Head HarnessFacepiece / Head Harness ““The Respirator”The Respirator”

2.2. Chemical CartridgeChemical Cartridge Removes gas and vaporRemoves gas and vapor

3.3. Particulate Filter / Pre-FilterParticulate Filter / Pre-Filter Traps dusts, mists, and fumesTraps dusts, mists, and fumes

Facepiece / Head HarnessFacepiece / Head Harness Choice depends on Choice depends on

Type and danger of Type and danger of contaminant contaminant

Need for eye, face, body Need for eye, face, body protectionprotection

Need for supplemental Need for supplemental air / oxygenair / oxygen

Presence of facial hairPresence of facial hair

Negative Pressure Negative Pressure RespiratorsRespirators

Air flow depends on wearer’s Air flow depends on wearer’s breathingbreathing

Half-mask Particulate FilterHalf-mask Particulate Filter

One-time useOne-time use

Protects against Protects against dust, mists, fumesdust, mists, fumes

Shaped material Shaped material held to the head held to the head with 2 strapswith 2 straps

Disposable Half-mask Disposable Half-mask dual cartridgedual cartridge

Protects against Protects against dust, mists, fumesdust, mists, fumes

Contaminant Contaminant specificspecific

Maintenance freeMaintenance free

Reusable Half-mask Reusable Half-mask dual cartridgedual cartridge

Filters and Filters and Cartridges can be Cartridges can be changed to match changed to match contaminantcontaminant

Full-face Dual CartridgeFull-face Dual Cartridge ReusableReusable Filters and Filters and

Cartridges can be Cartridges can be changed to match changed to match contaminantcontaminant

Protects eyes & Protects eyes & faceface

Positive Pressure RespiratorsPositive Pressure Respirators

Air flow powered by a fanAir 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 Atmosphere Supplying RespiratorsRespirators

Air is supplied from an Air is supplied from an outside sourceoutside source

Supplied Air RespiratorSupplied Air Respirator Air is supplied Air is supplied

from a clean air from a clean air sourcesource

Used in spraying Used in spraying pesticide or paintpesticide or paint

Some are equipped Some are equipped for Immediately for Immediately Dangerous to Life Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) and Health (IDLH) situationssituations

Self-Contained Self-Contained Breathing ApparatusBreathing Apparatus

Provides an Provides an oxygen supplyoxygen supply

Similar to SCUBA Similar to SCUBA gear worn by gear worn by underwater diversunderwater divers

For use in IDLH For use in IDLH situationssituations

Proper Respirator FittingProper Respirator Fitting Respirators should fit snuglyRespirators should fit snugly

Follow manufacturers directionsFollow manufacturers directions

Disposable Filter Face Piece Disposable Filter Face Piece Fit CheckFit Check

Cup hands over Cup hands over the front of maskthe front of mask

InhaleInhale Does mask pull Does mask pull

toward face?toward face? If yes, then If yes, then

working properlyworking properly

Half-mask & Full Face Half-mask & Full Face Positive Pressure Fit CheckPositive Pressure Fit Check Block exhalation Block exhalation

valve with palmvalve with palm Gently exhaleGently exhale Hold for 10 Hold for 10

secondsseconds Is face piece Is face piece

bulging?bulging? If yes, then If yes, then

working properlyworking properly

Cleaning your RespiratorCleaning your Respirator Follow manufacturer’s instructionsFollow manufacturer’s instructions

Disinfect following useDisinfect following use Wash your handsWash your hands Hand wash face piece in warm waterHand wash face piece in warm water Clean inhalation and exhalation valves with Clean inhalation and exhalation valves with

disinfecting soapdisinfecting soap

Let parts dry before reassemblingLet parts dry before reassembling

What is a Particulate Filter?What is a Particulate Filter? Traps dusts, mists, and fumesTraps dusts, mists, and fumes Look at the label that lists the Look at the label that lists the

substances from which the filter substances from which the filter will protect youwill protect you

What Kind of a Filter What Kind of a Filter Should I Use?Should I Use?

NIOSH* Coding systemNIOSH* Coding system Resistance to oil based chemicals or pesticides that Resistance to oil based chemicals or pesticides that

are sprayedare sprayed ““N” = not resistantN” = not resistant ““R” = resistant to oil based chemicalsR” = resistant to oil based chemicals

For 8 hoursFor 8 hours ““P” = oil based chemical proofP” = oil based chemical proof

Sprayed longer than 8 hoursSprayed longer than 8 hours

* National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health* National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

What Kind of a Filter What Kind of a Filter Should I Use?Should I Use?

Efficiency levelsEfficiency levels 95%95% 99%99% 100%100%

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

Can I Reuse a Filter?Can I Reuse a Filter? Yes, but…Yes, but… Change a filter when it becomes Change a filter when it becomes

soiled or difficult to breathe throughsoiled or difficult to breathe through Washing or blowing out respirators, Washing or blowing out respirators,

filters, or cartridges destroys themfilters, or cartridges destroys them Replace them with a new unitReplace them with a new unit

What is a Chemical Cartridge?What is a Chemical Cartridge?

Removes gas and vaporRemoves gas and vapor Can be used with particulate filtersCan be used with particulate filters

““Pre-filters”Pre-filters” Look at the label that lists the Look at the label that lists the

substances from which the filter substances from which the filter will protect youwill protect you

What Kind of a Chemical What Kind of a Chemical Cartridge Should I Use?Cartridge Should I Use?

Colored cartridgesColored cartridges White = acid gasWhite = acid gas Black = organic vaporsBlack = organic vapors Green = ammonia gasGreen = ammonia gas Yellow = acid gas and organic vaporsYellow = acid gas and organic vapors

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

Can I Reuse a Can I Reuse a Chemical Cartridge?Chemical Cartridge?

Change a cartridge when… Change a cartridge when… You smell or taste a substanceYou smell or taste a substance You have throat or respiratory irritationYou have throat or respiratory irritation The end of each workdayThe end of each workday The respirator manufacturer or pesticide The respirator manufacturer or pesticide

label requires itlabel requires it Washing or blowing out respirators, Washing or blowing out respirators,

filters, or cartridges destroys themfilters, or cartridges destroys them Replace them with a new unitReplace them with a new unit

How Should I Store my How Should I Store my Respirator and Filters?Respirator and Filters?

Store in uncontaminated areaStore in uncontaminated area Remove (reusable) cartridges Remove (reusable) cartridges Store in cool, dry placeStore in cool, dry place

Avoid direct sunlightAvoid direct sunlight Dry containerDry container

Plastic bag or covered coffee canPlastic bag or covered coffee can Don’t place anything on top of the Don’t place anything on top of the

respirator or cartridges during storagerespirator or cartridges during storage

Where can I Purchase Where can I Purchase Respirators and Filters?Respirators and Filters?

General farm supply storesGeneral farm supply stores CooperativesCooperatives PharmaciesPharmacies Mail orderMail order

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory

ProtectionProtection, 2, 2ndnd edition edition

Gempler’s, Inc.