Objectives: Allergen emissions during soybean unloading operations in the Barcelona harbor have caused asthma epidemics. The present article aimed to describe the surveillance and control measures carried out by the public health services. Methods: Data were extracted from control systems from 1999 to 2009, with description of the surveillance schemes for allergen emissions, environmental concentrations (with defined reference levels) and for health. Results: Of 95 studies of plant emission, four were above the reference levels, and filters were found to be the most likely cause. Mean environmental concentrations were low but were above the reference levels on 13 days; these levels were related to adverse meteorological conditions and incidents in the plants. No health effects were detected in the panel of patients nor epidemic asthma days. Conclusions: The system detects incidents and has shown its usefulness in protecting public health.

Objetivos: Las emisiones de alérgeno durante la descarga de haba de soja en el puerto de Barcelona han sido causa de asma epidémica. Este trabajo describe las acciones de vigilancia y control de los servicios de salud pública. Métodos: Los datos se extraen del dispositivo de control durante el periodo de 1999 a 2009, detallando el sistema de vigilancia de emisiones y concentraciones ambientales de alérgeno (para las que se han fijado empíricamente niveles guía), y de salud. Resultados: De los 95 estudios de emisión, cuatro superaron los valores de alarma, con probables causas en los filtros. Las concentraciones ambientales medias son bajas, pero superaron el nivel de alarma 13 días; se relacionan con meteorología adversa e incidencias en las instalaciones. No se detectaron efectos en los pacientes del panel de vigilancia, ni días de asma epidémica. Conclusiones: El sistema detecta incidencias y ha mostrado su utilidad para preservar la salud pública.

Objectives: Allergen emissions during soybean unloading operations in the Barcelona harbor have caused asthma epidemics. The present article aimed to describe the surveillance and control measures carried out by the public health services. Methods: Data were extracted from control systems from 1999 to 2009, with description of the surveillance schemes for allergen emissions, environmental concentrations (with defined reference levels) and for health. Results: Of 95 studies of plant emission, four were above the reference levels, and filters were found to be the most likely cause. Mean environmental concentrations were low but were above the reference levels on 13 days; these levels were related to adverse meteorological conditions and incidents in the plants. No health effects were detected in the panel of patients nor epidemic asthma days. Conclusions: The system detects incidents and has shown its usefulness in protecting public health.

Objetivos: Las emisiones de alérgeno durante la descarga de haba de soja en el puerto de Barcelona han sido causa de asma epidémica. Este trabajo describe las acciones de vigilancia y control de los servicios de salud pública. Métodos: Los datos se extraen del dispositivo de control durante el periodo de 1999 a 2009, detallando el sistema de vigilancia de emisiones y concentraciones ambientales de alérgeno (para las que se han fijado empíricamente niveles guía), y de salud. Resultados: De los 95 estudios de emisión, cuatro superaron los valores de alarma, con probables causas en los filtros. Las concentraciones ambientales medias son bajas, pero superaron el nivel de alarma 13 días; se relacionan con meteorología adversa e incidencias en las instalaciones. No se detectaron efectos en los pacientes del panel de vigilancia, ni días de asma epidémica. Conclusiones: El sistema detecta incidencias y ha mostrado su utilidad para preservar la salud pública.