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

7. Farmer’s 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 Farmer’s Lung • Symptoms • Prevention

9. Silo Filler’s Disease • Severe lung irritation • Nitrogen oxides produced from fermenting silage • Extremely toxic • Permanent lung damage

10. Silo Filler’s Disease Dangerous exposures • Entering silos within 3 weeks of loading • Produced within 2 hours of filling silo • Reaches maximum in 2-3 days

11. Silo Filler’s Disease • Symptoms • Cough • Burning in the throat • Fever • Bronchitis • Pulmonary edema • Respiratory distress

12. Silo Filler’s 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

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

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

19. 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

20. 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

24. 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 wearer’s breathing

26. Half-mask Particulate Filter • One-time use • Protects against dust, mists, fumes • Shaped material held to the head with 2 straps

27. Disposable Half-mask dual cartridge • Protects against dust, mists, fumes • Contaminant specific • Maintenance free

28. Reusable Half-mask dual cartridge • Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match contaminant

29. Full-face Dual Cartridge • Reusable • Filters and Cartridges can be changed to match contaminant • Protects eyes & face

30. 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

31. Atmosphere Supplying Respirators • Air is supplied from an outside source

32. 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

33. 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 manufacturer’s 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

40. 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!

46. 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

47. 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 • Don’t place anything on top of the respirator or cartridges during storage

48. Where can I Purchase Respirators and Filters? • General farm supply stores • Cooperatives • Pharmacies • Mail order

49. Acknowledgements • The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory Protection, 2nd edition Gempler’s, Inc.