Immune modulating effects of continuous bioaerosol and terpene exposure over three years among sawmill workers in Norway.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Exposure to wood dust, resin acids, microbial and volatile components among sawmill workers may impair respiratory health, with inflammation indicated as a key mechanism. Previous, mostly cross-sectional studies have shown mixed results, and a conclusive association between wood dust exposure and chronic respiratory inflammation has therefore not yet been established. This study assessed associations between exposure to bioaerosols and volatile terpenes and serum inflammatory marker levels over three years.

Methods

Serum biomarkers and blood cell counts were analyzed based on 702 observations from 450 exposed sawmill workers and 102 observations from 65 unexposed sawmill workers in Norway at baseline and after three years. Job-exposure-matrices, based on measureme

SUBMITTER: Straumfors A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12415592 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature