Occupational asthma due to low molecular weight agents.

Occupational asthma is defined as variable airflow obstruction and airways hyperresponsiveness caused by exposure to agents present in the workplace. Low molecular weight agents such as isocyanates, aldehydes, anhydrides, colophony, dyes, persulphate, amines, acrylates and metals are steadily increasing as causative agents of occupational asthma. Isocyanates, aldehydes and anhydrides my cause sensitisation through an IgE mediated response in some workers.

Asthma worsened by benzoate contained in some antiasthmatic drugs.

Here, we report our experience on benzoate hypersensitivity. Drug and food additives are known to induce pseudo-allergic reactions such as urticaria, eczema, asthma and rhinitis. These reactions are often under-diagnosed, above all in allergic patients treated with additive containing drugs.

Prevalence and risk factors for latex-related diseases among healthcare workers in an Italian general hospital.

Latex allergy has become an occupational hazard among healthcare workers. Atopy and degree of exposure have been recognized as predisposing factors for latex sensitization. We investigated the prevalence of latex allergy and the potential risk factors for latex sensitization, by distributing a questionnaire to 284 employees of a general hospital in central Italy.