Transcript Prevention of Respiratory Hazards on the Farm

Prevention of Respiratory
Illness on the Farm
Respiratory Hazards
Dusts
Gases
/ Vapors
Chemicals
Where are the Hazards?
 Fields
 Silos
 Manure
pits
 Insecticides
 Animal confinement buildings
Three Categories of Hazards
 Particulate
 Dusts,
 Gases
contaminants
fumes, mist
and vapors
 Pesticides
& nitric oxide
 Oxygen-deficient
 Sealed
atmospheres
silos or storage for
fruits / vegetables
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
Farmer’s Lung
 Symptoms
 Presents
4-12 hours after exposure
 Cough
 Chills
 Labored
breathing
 Muscle pain
 Subsides in 3-5 days
Farmer’s Lung
 Prevention
 Wear
respirator
 Inhibit mold growth
 Reduce moisture content in silage
 Handle dusty materials
mechanically
 Use larger bales
Organic Toxic Dust Syndrome
 Lung
inflammation
 Concentrated
exposure to moldy
hay, straw, grain
 Similar
to Farmer’s Lung
 Symptoms
 Prevention
Silo Filler’s Disease
 Severe
lung irritation
 Nitrogen
oxides produced from
fermenting silage
 Extremely
toxic
 Permanent lung damage
Silo Filler’s Disease
Dangerous exposures
 Entering
silos within 3 weeks of loading
 Produced
 Reaches
within 2 hours of filling silo
maximum in 2-3 days
Silo Filler’s Disease
Symptoms
 Cough
 Burning in the throat
 Fever
 Bronchitis
 Pulmonary edema
 Respiratory distress
Silo Filler’s Disease
 NEVER
ENTER A
NEWLY FILLED
SILO FOR AT
LEAST THREE
WEEKS
Other Toxic Gas Exposures
 Manure
gas
 Pesticides
Manure Gas Exposure

Decomposition of
animal urine &
feces
 Generates deadly
gases
Manure storage
 Dangerous
gases become trapped
within manure
 Gases
can be released at deadly
level when manure is agitated
Manure Gas Exposure
 Symptoms
 Cough
 Phlegm
build up
 Scratchy throat
 Runny nose
 Watering eyes
 Headaches
 Wheezing
 Shortness of breath
Manure Gas Exposure
 Prevention
 Remove
all people before pit agitation
 Maximize ventilation respirator use
 Never enter a pit especially during or
just after agitation
Always assume a manure
pit has high concentrations
of toxic gasses!
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
Choosing the
Right Respirator
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
When should I
wear a respirator?
 Anytime
you may be exposed to
environmental hazards that may
cause respiratory illness.
Respirators

Three components
1.
Facepiece / Head Harness

2.
Chemical Cartridge

3.
“The Respirator”
Removes gas and vapor
Particulate Filter / Pre-Filter

Traps dusts, mists, and fumes
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
Negative Pressure
Respirators
 Air
flow depends on wearer’s
breathing
Half-mask Particulate Filter

One-time use

Protects against
dust, mists, fumes

Shaped material
held to the head
with 2 straps
Disposable Half-mask
dual cartridge

Protects against
dust, mists, fumes
 Contaminant
specific
 Maintenance free
Reusable Half-mask
dual cartridge

Filters and
Cartridges can be
changed to match
contaminant
Full-face Dual Cartridge

Reusable
 Filters and
Cartridges can be
changed to match
contaminant
 Protects
face
eyes &
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
Atmosphere Supplying
Respirators
 Air
is supplied from an
outside source
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
Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus

Provides an
oxygen supply
 Similar to SCUBA
gear worn by
underwater divers
 For use in IDLH
situations
Proper Respirator Fitting
 Respirators
 Follow
should fit snugly
manufacturers directions
Disposable Filter Face Piece
Fit Check

Cup hands over
the front of mask
 Inhale
 Does mask pull
toward face?
 If yes, then
working properly
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
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
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
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
What Kind of a Filter
Should I Use?

Efficiency levels



95%
99%
100%
A unit coded P99 indicates
that the filter is oil proof and
at least 99% efficient
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
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
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
 Using
the
wrong
cartridge
can be
extremely
dangerous!
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
How Should I Store my
Respirator and Filters?

Store in uncontaminated area
 Remove (reusable) cartridges
 Store in cool, dry place


Dry container


Avoid direct sunlight
Plastic bag or covered coffee can
Don’t place anything on top of the
respirator or cartridges during storage
Where can I Purchase
Respirators and Filters?
 General
farm supply stores
 Cooperatives
 Pharmacies
 Mail order
Acknowledgements
 The
Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory
Protection, 2nd edition
Gempler’s, Inc.