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Late harvest resources

Staying safe around moldy crops

Katherine Waters, DVM, MPH, Extension Agricultural Health and Safety

Farmer’s Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (previously referred to as Farmer’s Lung Disease), is a form of allergic lung disease caused by bacteria and fungal species found in dust in agricultural operations. Occupations at risk include dairy farmers, poultry workers, zoo keepers, and nursery workers. It is more common in the northern temperate regions in the Northeast, North Central, and Great Plains northern states. Typical exposures occur in the fall through late spring and involve moldy silage, feed, and hay and straw bedding.

Prevention

• Wearing respiratory protection around high dust-producing activities. The minimum respiratory protection is a 2- strap NIOSH N-95 dust mist respirator.
• Adequate drying of grain and hay before storage to avoid excessive mold contamination
• Avoiding obviously mold contaminated feed or bedding

More information

• Harvesting Health: Respirators (5 MB PDF) — Marshfield Clinic
• Harvesting Health: Dust and Molds (3.8 MB PDF) — Marshfield Clinic

Reference: Steve Kirkhorn MD, National Farm Medicine Center, a service of Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin

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