Workplace exposure to wood dust and the prevalence of wood-specific sensitization.

Wood is processed worldwide, and occupational exposure to wood dust is affecting millions of workers. Studies have identified wood dust as a risk factor for non-malignant respiratory diseases consistent with both an allergic and a non-allergic origin. This paper summarizes our current knowledge on the importance of specific sensitization among subjects occupationally exposed to wood dust.

Quantification of protein and latex allergen content of various natural rubber latex products.

Introduction: The use of natural rubber latex (NRL) products can cause IgE-mediated allergic reactions in exposed people. The aim of this study was to quantify the content of protein and latex allergens of currently available NRL products to estimate the allergenic potential of these products.

Methods: 14 household articles (pacifiers, baby bottle nipples, condoms, household and disposable gloves, toy balloons, and Band-Aids) as well as 18 NRL examination gloves currently used by healthcare workers were investigated.

Rare and new occupational inhalant allergens.

Occupational airway diseases induced by the inhalation of allergens at workplaces have become common, but the inducing substances are diverse and their pathomechanisms are not always clear. Only few allergens were studied in detail (like wheat flour dust and natural rubber latex) and most of the occupational airway sensitizers were documented only as case reports. In this review rare and exotic occupational Type I-aeroallergens according to their workplace application area (e.

Serial measurements of exhaled nitric oxide at work and at home: a new tool for the diagnosis of occupational asthma.

Whereas serial measurements of lung function at work and at home are a well-known diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of occupational asthma (OA), little is known about the serial measurements of non-invasive parameters such as exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). A 51-year-old baker with variable shortness of breath without relation to work was examined for suspected OA. Skin prick test showed weak sensitizations to wheat and rye flour (without sensitizations to environmental allergens) that were corroborated by in vitro testing (CAP class 3).