Burnt sugarcane harvesting is associated with rhinitis symptoms and inflammatory markers

Iara Buriola Trevisan,Ubiratan De Paula Santos,Marceli Rocha Leite,Aline Duarte Ferreira,Bruna Spolador De Alencar Silva,Ana Paula Coelho Figueira Freire,Gabriel Faustino Santa Brigida,Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos,Dionei Ramos

doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.02.008

Abstract

IntroductionBurnt sugarcane harvesting requires intense physical exertion in an environment of high temperature and exposure to particulate matter. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of burnt sugarcane harvesting on rhinitis symptoms and inflammatory markers in sugarcane workers. MethodsA total of 32 male sugarcane workers were evaluated with questionnaire for rhinitis symptoms, and for inflammatory markers on peripheral blood and nasal lavage, in the non-harvesting, and 3 and 6 months into the sugarcane harvesting period. Weather data and particulate matter fine concentrations were measured in the same day. ResultsThe particulate matter concentrations in sugarcane harvesting were 27 (23–33μg/m3), 112 (96–122μg/m3), and 63 (17–263μg/m3); 24h temperatures were 32.6 (25.4–37.4°C), 32.3 (26.7–36.7°C) and 29.7 (24.1–34.0°C) and relative humidities were 45.4 (35.0–59.7%), 47.9 (39.1–63.0%), and 59.9 (34.7–63.2%) in the non-harvesting period, three and 6 months of the harvesting period. The age was 37.4±10.9 years. The prevalence of rhinitis symptoms was significantly higher at 3 months of the harvesting period (53.4%), compared to non-harvesting period (26.7%; p=0.039) and at 6 months into the harvesting period (20%; p=0.006). Concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in nasal lavage increased after 3 months of the harvesting period compared to the non-harvesting period (p=0.012). The presence of rhinitis symptoms, after 3 months of the harvesting period, was directly associated with blood eosinophils and inversely associated with neutrophils. ConclusionsAfter 3 months of work in burnt sugarcane harvesting the prevalence of rhinitis symptoms and IL-6 in nasal lavage increased. Furthermore, eosinophil counts were directly associated with the rhinitis symptoms in the period of higher concentration of particulate matter.

Highlights

Burnt sugarcane harvesting requires intense physical exertion in an environment with high temperatures and exposure to particulate matter
To facilitate manual cutting and eliminate the incidence of accidents by poisonous animals nocturnal burning of the sugarcane straw is carried out in the harvest period.[5,6]. This practice releases into the environment a considerable percentage of gaseous and particulate matter (PM) which is inhaled by the rural worker.7---11
Sixty-seven male sugarcane workers were evaluated in the NHP, at 3 and 6 months after the beginning of HP

Summary

Introduction

Burnt sugarcane harvesting requires intense physical exertion in an environment with high temperatures and exposure to particulate matter. Objective: To evaluate the effects of burnt sugarcane harvesting on rhinitis symptoms and inflammatory markers in sugarcane workers. Methods: 32 male sugarcane workers were evaluated with questionnaire for rhinitis symptoms, and for inflammatory markers on peripheral blood and nasal lavage, in the non-harvesting, and 3 and 6 months into the sugarcane harvesting period. Results: The particulate matter concentrations in sugarcane harvesting were 27 (23---33 ␮g/m3), 112 (96---122 ␮g/m3), and 63 (17---263 ␮g/m3); 24 h temperatures were 32.6 (25.4---37.4 ◦C), 32.3 (26.7---36.7 ◦C) and 29.7 (24.1---34.0 ◦C) and relative humidities were 45.4 (35.0---59.7%), 47.9 (39.1---63.0%), and 59.9 (34.7---63.2%) in the non-harvesting period, three and 6 months of the harvesting period. In addition harvesting is performed under high climatic temperature and low humidity, which causes adverse effects such as physical and psychological stress, and an increase of the respiratory effort.8---11

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