Work-related dysphonia in subjects with occupational asthma is associated with neutrophilic airway inflammation

Dysphonia; Neutrophilic inflammation; Occupational asthmaDisfonía; Inflamación neutrofílica; Asma ocupacionalDisfonia; Inflamació neutròfila; Asma ocupaciona

Outcome of Occupational Latex Allergy—Work Ability and Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: The quality of life (QOL) and work ability of health care workers allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL) were assessed after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves in Germany. METHODS: 196 HCW with reported NRL allergy answered a questionnaire (response rate 58%) containing the Work Ability Index (WAI), Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: 63.2% still had NRL-related symptoms during the last 6 month. However on a scale from 0 to 10, the intensity of NRL-related symptoms decreased from 8.5 before to 2.3 after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves. A higher number of subjects were able to avoid NRL in the private than in the work environment (85% vs. 61%). NRL-related symptoms decreased and WAI increased with successful avoidance of NRL at workplace (b = 0.23, p = 0.003). QOL was only little affected by NRL allergy (mean: MiniAQLQ = 6.0; DLQI = 4.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was improvement after implementation of powder-free NRL gloves, there is still a considerable number of HCW with NRL-related symptoms. Further investigations on latex avoidance and the cause of persisiting allergic symptoms in HCW with NRL allergy are therefore needed

Risk and safety requirements for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in allergology : World Allergy Organization Statement

Peer reviewe

Gender-related aspects in occupational allergies – Secondary publication and update

For years occupational allergies have been among the most frequently recorded occupational diseases, and both the skin as well as the respiratory tract may be affected. An estimated 9 to 15% of adult asthma is (partially) caused by work-related exposure. Gender-specific differences in exposure cause different risks in the workplace which affect the health of employees. This also applies to exposure and working conditions when handling sensitizing working substances. The presented gender-specific analysis of the German documentation of confirmed occupational respiratory allergic diseases and occupational skin diseases reveals clear differences between men and women in the number of diseases and also in exposure conditions and working areas. Keywords: Allergy, Asthma, Dermatitis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Gender, Occupational allergens, Occupational diseases, Skin disease

Occupational health hazards of street cleaners – a literature review considering prevention practices at the workplace

Street cleaning is an integral part of the solid waste management system. There are different ways to achieve clean streets depending on the availability of equipment, the type and magnitude of dirt, the surface conditions encountered or traffic conditions. In general, hand sweeping by an individual worker or a group, hose flushing, or machine sweeping or flushing are applied. In order to obtain information about the occurrence and relevance of occupational health hazards of street cleaners, the current international literature, as well as corresponding German regulations, were reviewed and evaluated. Street cleaning includes a variety of health hazards for employees. These can be subdivided into effects of occupational tasks and effects of working conditions such as weather or road traffic. The hazards result from physical, chemical and biological exposures, but may also be due to physiological and psychological burden or inadequate safety aspects. The most commonly reported work-related complaints are musculoskeletal and respiratory disorders, cuts, slips, and road traffic accidents. In developing countries, street cleaners seem to be still heavily exposed to dust and, in most cases, no suitable protective measures are available. Especially in industrialized countries there exist a number of standards and recommendations for waste workers that aim to reduce their occupational health impacts

Trypsin und Chymotrypsin : MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2016

Trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) and Chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) are proteolytic pancreatic enzymes which are secreted as inactive precursors trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen, respectively. They have several clinical pharmacological as well as laboratory applications and they are used in protein chemistry, especially in the preparation of insulin. Exposure to enzyme dusts has long been known to cause occupational immediate hypersensitivities of the airways. Also trypsin and chymotrypsin are potential inhalable sensitizers; cases of specific airway sensitization caused by trypsin and chymotrypsin containing products could be shown clearly by several studies. Positive skin prick and challenge tests as well as specific IgE antibodies have been described. Since these results and the clinical symptoms usually matched well, an immunological mechanism of action is suggested. There is no clear evidence of allergic cell‐mediated late type eczematous skin reactions. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are designated with “Sa” (for substances causing airway sensitization) but not with “Sh” (for skin‐sensitizing substances)