This study aimed to focus on analysis of chronic respiratory symptoms, respiratory functions, and immunological pattern together with their relation to duration of exposure to organic dust among workers in potato processing industry. Subjects of this study were males of age range(20-45years),selected randomly from those working in a large potato processing company, in Mubarak Industrial City at Quesna, Monofia Governorate, Egypt, during the period from January 2004 to March 2004. They were classified into two groups : Exposed group I : included 124 workers selected randomly from those working in potato processing plants of at least two years duration. Non-exposed control group II : included 60 persons ,not dealing with potato processing before (office workers) and properly matched with the previous group regarding age, level of education, smoking habits and social standard . Both groups were subjected to: full history taking through a questionnaire interview, complete physical examination, pulmonary ventilatory functions measurements, skin testing and estimation of total immunoglobulins G, M and A. It was found that the frequency of respiratory symptoms: asthma symptoms (frequent wheezing and tightness of the chest ),bronchitis symptoms(chronic cough, phlegm, and shortness of breath) and hypersensitivity manifestations were significantly higher among potato processing workers than the non exposed persons. Also pulmonary ventilatory functions (VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF0.2-1.2, FEF25-75% and MVV) were significantly lower in the exposed group than the non exposed one .It was also found that the increase in the frequency of respiratory symptoms and the decrease in the mean values of pulmonary ventilatory functions were higher in exposed workers who work more than 5 years than those exposed to less than 5 years. Also this study revealed that the mean values of immunoglobulins (Ig G, Ig M and Ig A ) were significantly higher in the exposed group than the non-exposed one and the frequency of exposed potato processing workers with elevated immunoglobulin levels were insignificantly lower among workers who work ≥5 years duration than those who work less than 5 years duration . It was clear that the frequency of +ve skin test for atopy was highly significant in exposed group than non exposed one and this was significantly higher with increased duration of exposure (≥5). Also, this study displayed that potato processing workers with +ve skin test had lower significant pulmonary ventilatory functions and higher significant frequency of elevated immunoglobulins levels than those with -ve skin test. It is concluded that workers in potato processing industry have more chronic respiratory symptoms ,lower pulmonary function parameters ,more +ve skin test results for atopy, and high immunoglobulin levels .All these changes were aggravated by prolonged exposure to organic dust except for levels of immunoglobulins. We recommended the establishment of a properly planned comprehensive program including replacement examination, follow up , regular dust exposure assessment , job rotation and health education to protect against respiratory health hazards among workers in potato processing industry.
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