1. Farmer’s Lung
The Unseen Danger

2. What it is?
Allergic disease that’s caused by breathing in dust from moldy crops
Lengthy exposure can cause:
Permanent lung damage
Physical disability
Death

3. Acute Farmer’s Lung Occurs in 1/3 cases
Begins 4-8 hours after breathing in large amount of dust from crops

4. Symptons Shortness of breath Dry, irritating cough
Sudden general feeling of sickness
Fever and chills
Rapid heart rate
Rapid breathing

5. Miscellaneous Information
Avoiding exposure causes symptoms to decrease after 12 hours
Symptoms can last 2-12 weeks

6. Sub-Acute Farmer’s Lung
More common than Acute Farmer’s Lung
Less intense, more difficult to notice
Develops slowly due to continual exposure

7. Symptoms Coughing Shortness of breath Mild fever and occasional chills
General feeling of sickness
Aches and pains in muscles and joints
Loss of appetite and weight

8. Miscellaneous Information
If you’re sensitive to dust, you’ll display these symptoms as long as you’re exposed to dust
Resembles a chest cold that lingers throughout the winter
Some lose weight over several weeks

9. Chronic Farmer’s Lung
Develops after several acute attacks over a period of years
It afflicts people who have been continually exposed to large amounts of moldy dust.

10. Symptoms Sometimes lasts several months
Marked by increasing shortness of breath
Occasional mild fever
Significant loss in weight
General lack of energy.
Permanent lung damage
Gradually worsen as exposure to moldy dust continues.

11. Prevention Properly ventilated storage buildings
Dust from moldy crops should be wetted before being swept up
Wear approved, properly fitted dust respirators