Acute Pulmonary Response in Landscape Workers: Job Redesign

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dc.contributor.authorSexton, Pauline Letheaen
dc.contributor.committeecochairKleiner, Brian M.en
dc.contributor.committeecochairYoung-Corbett, Deborah E.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSmith-Jackson, Tonya L.en
dc.contributor.departmentIndustrial and Systems Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2011-08-06T16:08:03Zen
dc.date.adate2003-09-05en
dc.date.available2011-08-06T16:08:03Zen
dc.date.issued2001-05-30en
dc.date.rdate2004-09-05en
dc.date.sdate2003-08-20en
dc.description.abstractSubstantial efforts have been made in the study of occupational induced airway diseases. A strong link has been found between worker exposure to organic dust and resulting acute pulmonary spasms. The supporting studies behind this link are primarily in the industries of cotton, animal and swine farming; however, some studies have been related to landscaping type tasks (i.e. mowing, leaf blowing). The relationship between organic dust and pulmonary response is associated with respiratory irritants that are found in materials such as soil, grain, and compost, especially when these materials have become moist. Some of the culprits that have been identified as causative agents of respiratory spasms are endotoxin, fungal spores, and fungal mycotoxin. This study focused on the respiratory hazards in the landscaping industry. During the month of March, landscapers worked heavily with wood mulch, which contains many organic materials that potentially harbor the aforementioned irritants. This study measured the exposure levels of endotoxin and fungal spores in the landscaper workers' breathable space. While also measuring the pulmonary function of participants and evaluating disposable respirators as an intervention. Low levels of endotoxin and fungal spores were found in the breathable space of the participants during the two days of data collection. The users were not completely satisfied with the half face disposable respirator provided, and offered detailed feedback concerning the design and use of the respirator intervention.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.otheretd-08202003-141528en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-08202003-141528en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/10161en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartTitleandAbstract.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartchp4pages43to51.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartchp4pages32to35.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartChp4pages27to28.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartChp4pages29to31.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartchp4page36to42.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartChp3Methods.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartCHP1and2.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartreferences.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartChp5.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartAPPENDIXEtoend.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartAPPENDIXAtoD.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartACKandTOC.pdfen
dc.relation.haspartVita.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectPulmonaryen
dc.subjectLandscapeen
dc.subjectMulchen
dc.subjectEndotoxinen
dc.subjectFungal Sporeen
dc.subjectRespiratoren
dc.titleAcute Pulmonary Response in Landscape Workers: Job Redesignen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineIndustrial and Systems Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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