Q: My husband and I have a small hog farm. Although it is not a huge operation, I still worry about the air quality that we are breathing. For some time now my husband has had a chronic cough, worse in the mornings. I do not notice the odour any more, but people visiting say they can smell the pigs, and some of them refuse to go into the barn because they get tightness in the chest and coughing. Should I be concerned about our health?
A: Studies in a number of countries, including Canada, the United States, and those in Scandinavia, have indicated high levels of lung and breathing problems in farm workers. Apparently one in five dairy farmers has a chronic bronchitis that is directly related to the quality of the air inside the barns. One in 20 has asthma and one in 18 will eventually develop “farmer’s lung.” The statistics are about the same for grain farmers, and even worse for pig and poultry producers.
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Acute or chronic bronchitis causes a wet cough, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath and a wheeze. Asthma causes similar symptoms, but these generally do not last as long after leaving the barn. People who have other allergies, such as house dust allergy or hay fever, or who have had eczema as children, are more likely to be affected.
Organic dust toxic syndrome results in episodes of fever, headache and muscle aches, a flu-like illness, as well as shortness of breath. This usually occurs after exposure to particularly high levels of dust and toxins such as during sorting or moving pigs. This condition is often mistaken for flu, and a full recovery usually occurs in five days.
Farmer’s lung is more serious and is usually caused by continued exposure to mouldy hay and fine dust particles. These can become buried deep in the lung tissue, causing a chronic inflammatory response. The symptoms are similar to a cold or flu with a cough, sometimes a fever or nausea and shortness of breath.
These symptoms typically come on about four to eight hours after exposure to the hay or grain dust. A doctor can confirm this illness by a blood test for antibodies to the spores, lung X-rays and, if necessary, a biopsy of the lung tissue. Your husband should get these tests done.
Farmer’s lung can be either acute or chronic. If it becomes chronic, this means there is permanent damage to the lungs, which may not completely recover even if the sufferer ceases to be exposed to the harmful materials.
Unfortunately, there is no real cure, but preventative measures can be taken. Keep the barn as clean and as ventilated as possible, but even good clean hay does contain some mould.
Your husband should wear a good face mask or a positive pressure respirator when feeding or handling the animals or cleaning the barn.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
