Table 3 Farming exposure prevalences and mutually adjusted ORs for farmer's lung among farm spouses in the Agricultural Health Study, 1993–7.
| Exposure | Farmer's lung (n = 38) | Controls (n = 26 011) | OR* (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n (%) | n (%) | ||
| Hay and grain group† | |||
| Grind feed | 11 (29) | 1321 (5) | 2.21 (0.95 to 5.13) |
| Grow grain | 35 (92) | 22 104 (85) | 1.32 (0.42 to 4.16) |
| Animal group† | |||
| Beef cattle | 17 (45) | 7841 (30) | 0.99 (0.54 to 1.82) |
| Dairy cattle | 7 (18) | 1985 (8) | 1.50 (0.72 to 3.14) |
| Hogs | 18 (47) | 7134 (27) | 1.29 (0.69 to 2.41) |
| Poultry | 5 (13) | 2603 (10) | 1.04 (0.49 to 2.19) |
| Veterinary services | 14 (37) | 2968 (11) | 1.39 (0.68 to 2.82) |
| Other exposures† | |||
| Diesel tractors | 22 (58) | 8118 (31) | 1.19 (0.61 to 2.34) |
| Drive combines | 8 (21) | 2724 (11) | 0.84 (0.41 to 1.72) |
| Grind metal | 5 (13) | 330 (1) | 1.82 (0.75 to 4.41) |
| Solvents to clean | 17 (45) | 4653 (18) | 1.68 (0.91 to 3.12) |
| Pesticide group‡ | |||
| Carbamate pesticides | 21 (55) | 7718 (30) | 1.41 (0.75 to 2.66) |
| Organochlorine insecticides | 10 (26) | 1776 (7) | 1.29 (0.64 to 2.59) |
| Organophosphate insecticides | 21 (55) | 6216 (24) | 1.30 (0.65 to 2.59) |
| Permethrin insecticides | 8 (21) | 1213 (5) | 1.40 (0.67 to 2.90) |
| Phenoxy herbicides | 16 (42) | 3601 (14) | 1.35 (0.68 to 2.65) |
| Triazine herbicides | 11 (29) | 1399 (5) | 1.58 (0.75 to 3.31) |
*ORs adjusted for age, state, smoking status and all other exposures.
†Grain, animal and other farm exposures are based on current activities.
‡Pesticide group variables are based on lifetime exposures.