CONTAMINANT: DUST FROM MOLDY HAY, STRAW AND GRAIN
ORGIN: Moldex Technical Services Department
DATE: June 26, 2003
REVIEWED/UPDATED: July 2015
Overview
A condition known as “Farmer’s Lung” can be caused by dust from moldy hay, straw and grain. These molds grow when crops are insufficiently dried. Farmer’s lung is caused by an allergic reaction of the respiratory tract to these dusts. Symptoms can be easily confused as the flu or a cold. The short term symptoms include: fever, chills, running nose, cough, blood in sputum, difficulty breathing, muscular pain and depression. If untreated, the condition can become chronic with the following symptoms: fever, night sweats, increasing shortness of breath, chronic cough, generalized aches and pains, loss of appetite and weight, and before depression.
The first defense is the proper drying of crops. Various procedures may be used to minimize dust exposure, such as wetting down silos and grain bins when cleaning, handling dusty materials outside and providing good ventilation inside when handling dusty materials. Operations should be mechanized when feasible.
Moldex® Solution
Moldex® suggests the use of N Series respirators.
Affected IndustriesFarming
Reference
Farmer’s Lung: It Takes Your Breath Away!
WARNING: The information contained in this Tech Brief is dated and was accurate to the best of Moldex’s knowledge, on the date above. It is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be used in place of the warning/use instructions that accompany Moldex respirators. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations.
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