Uploaded October 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
When people think of farming, many have images of farmers and workers being outside and breathing fresh air. While this can be the case, there are other times when farmers and agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of dusts, chemicals, gases, molds and microbes, and other respiratory allergens and irritants.
Exposure to these airborne pollutants can in some circumstances result in occupational diseases linked to agricultural work. One of these diseases is known as Farmer’s Lung, sometimes referred to as Farmer’s Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (FHP). Farmer’s Lung is an allergic disease caused by breathing biologic dusts from hay, stored grain, silage or other agricultural products.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reports that breathing in dust containing the spores of various heat-tolerating bacteria or molds often found on moldy crops causes the disease (Micropolyspora faeni, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Aspergillus). The agency goes on to explain that Farmer's Lung develops in two steps. The first time a person inhales a large amount of dust and spores from moldy crops, the immune system often responds by producing specific antibodies against the antigens. Once the body has produced these antibodies, there is a chance that further exposure to moldy dust can generate a hypersensitive type of allergic reaction.
There are three different types of allergic responses described by CCOHS for Farmer’s Lung, including acute, sub-acute and chronic. The agency also reports that the signs and symptoms of Farmer's Lung vary tremendously and the allergic response of the afflicted person depends on the sensitivity of the individual and the amount of moldy dust entering the lungs. The reaction can be a sudden attack or symptoms associated with a slow progressive illness.
To prevent Farmer’s Lung and some other respiratory diseases faced by agricultural workers, precautions to avoid breathing in spores from moldy crops should be taken. When avoiding moldy or dusty environments is not possible, properly fitted respirators designed to protect against exposure to mold, bacteria and dusts may protect workers’ lungs.
These are just a few things to know about Farmer’s Lung and occupational exposure risks agricultural workers may encounter. To learn more about this or other microbial, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
When people think of farming, many have images of farmers and workers being outside and breathing fresh air. While this can be the case, there are other times when farmers and agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of dusts, chemicals, gases, molds and microbes, and other respiratory allergens and irritants.
Exposure to these airborne pollutants can in some circumstances result in occupational diseases linked to agricultural work. One of these diseases is known as Farmer’s Lung, sometimes referred to as Farmer’s Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (FHP). Farmer’s Lung is an allergic disease caused by breathing biologic dusts from hay, stored grain, silage or other agricultural products.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reports that breathing in dust containing the spores of various heat-tolerating bacteria or molds often found on moldy crops causes the disease (Micropolyspora faeni, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Aspergillus). The agency goes on to explain that Farmer's Lung develops in two steps. The first time a person inhales a large amount of dust and spores from moldy crops, the immune system often responds by producing specific antibodies against the antigens. Once the body has produced these antibodies, there is a chance that further exposure to moldy dust can generate a hypersensitive type of allergic reaction.
There are three different types of allergic responses described by CCOHS for Farmer’s Lung, including acute, sub-acute and chronic. The agency also reports that the signs and symptoms of Farmer's Lung vary tremendously and the allergic response of the afflicted person depends on the sensitivity of the individual and the amount of moldy dust entering the lungs. The reaction can be a sudden attack or symptoms associated with a slow progressive illness.
To prevent Farmer’s Lung and some other respiratory diseases faced by agricultural workers, precautions to avoid breathing in spores from moldy crops should be taken. When avoiding moldy or dusty environments is not possible, properly fitted respirators designed to protect against exposure to mold, bacteria and dusts may protect workers’ lungs.
These are just a few things to know about Farmer’s Lung and occupational exposure risks agricultural workers may encounter. To learn more about this or other microbial, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
