Aflatoxin levels in airborne dust generated from contaminated corn during harvest and at an elevator in 1980

Abstract

Bulk corn samples and airborne samples generated therefrom were collected on a Georgia farm during the 1980 harvest and while the 1980 corn was being ground and fed to swine. The bulk corn harvested had 1640 ng total aflatoxin/g. Airborne dust samples collected at the front of the combine had an average of 3850 ng total aflatoxin/g; at the side of the combine, the average aflatoxin level was 2550 ng/g of dust. At one time, the operator was exposed to airborne dust containing 1360 ng/g while inside the combine cab. An airborne dust sample taken with a personal sampler during transfer of the corn to a truck had 52,000 ng/g. Airborne dusts collected while corn containing aflatoxin (1240-1850 ng/g) was being ground and fed had total aflatoxin levels ranging from nondetected to 43,700 ng/g. Airborne dust, bulk corn, and settled dust samples were collected at a grain elevator. Airborne dust samples collected during the delivery of corn in farm trucks to the elevator had an average of 1240 ng total aflatoxin/g. The airborne dust samples taken while corn was being unloaded from the elevator into trucks and railroad cars had lower average aflatoxin levels than those in dusts collected during delivery. Settled dusts in the elevator had 173-669 ng total aflatoxin/g. The highest aflatoxin level in the air in the elevator was 13,000 ng/cu. m near the conveyor belt. Airborne dust samples collected by personal samplers on elevator workers contained aflatoxin levels of 429-1300 ng/g; aflatoxin levels in the air were 9-1120 ng/cu. m.