Occupational exposure to fungi and mycotoxins in swine feed production: data review

Swine feed production workers are highly exposed to microorganisms and their by-products. These contaminants are easily accumulated and aerosolized in areas where feed is received, processed and packed for sale. An extensive search was made for scientific papers, in different online databases report...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Viegas, Carla (author)
Other Authors: Garcia, Fábio (author), Monteiro, Luís (author), Rodrigues, Pedro (author), Henriques, Sandra (author), Viegas, Susana (author)
Format: article
Language:eng
Published: 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/7350
Country:Portugal
Oai:oai:repositorio.ipl.pt:10400.21/7350
Description
Summary:Swine feed production workers are highly exposed to microorganisms and their by-products. These contaminants are easily accumulated and aerosolized in areas where feed is received, processed and packed for sale. An extensive search was made for scientific papers, in different online databases reporting fungi and mycotoxin contamination present on feed production facilities and the potential impact for workers. The most common fungi present on feed were Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. Regarding mycotoxins found on feed, Zearalenone and Aflatoxins were the most prevalent. Aflatoxin B1 was the most reported mycotoxin in the feed production occupational environment. Prevention of fungi dissemination and, consequently, mycotoxins production in this setting should be avoided, since can result in mycotoxins exposure for workers and, even in some cases, for consumers.