Health Impact of Mycotoxins in the Home and Workplace

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Health Impact of Mycotoxins in the Home and Workplace: An Overview

Authors:

Sorenson WG

Source: Biodeterioration Research, Vol. 2, Biodeterioration,

Degradation, Mycotoxins, Biotoxins, and Wood Decay, Edited by C. E.

O'rear and G. C. Llewellyn, Plenum Press, ISBN 0-306-43229-3, pages

201-215, 48 references, 1989

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~vUnAFq:659

Abstract:

The effects of pulmonary exposure to substances produced by fungi

are discussed. Topics included: toxic volatile compounds of fungi,

the occurrence of aflatoxin (1402682) in workplace aerosols, the

occurrence of mycotoxins in fungal spores, the effects of mycotoxins

in the lung, and the needs of future research. Fungi known to cause

respiratory problems upon inhalation were reviewed along with the

volatile agents they produce; many of the latter were associated

with high 50% lethal doses but some had significant toxic effects.

Data from studies on the effects of inhaled aflatoxin on humans

demonstrated increased cancer rates in exposed individuals.

Aflatoxin has been shown to be present in corn and peanut dust and

highly toxic macrocyclic-trichothecenes have been found in the

conidia of Stachybotrys-atra. Studies have shown that T-2 mycotoxin

(21259201), patulin (149291), and penicillic-acid can inhibit

protein and RNA synthesis and also phagocytosis in pulmonary

alveolar macrophages. Exposure to 1000 parts per million aflatoxin

has resulted in lung lesions in five of eight animals. The author

concludes that inhalation exposure to fungi and fungal spores may

represent an occupational health hazard for agricultural and other

exposed workers.

Keywords:

DCN-205281

NIOSH Author

Toxic effects

Occupational exposure

Microorganisms

Respiratory system disorders

Hypersensitivity

Agricultural workers

Immune reaction

CAS Registry Numbers:

1402-68-2

1402-68-2

21259-20-1

149-29-1

Entry Month: August, 1992

Year of Publication: 1989

Secondary Source ID: NIOSH/00205403

Document Number: NIOSH/00205403