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Occupational contact allergens: Are they also associated with occupational asthma?
Author(s) -
Arrandale V.H.,
Liss G.M.,
Tarlo S.M.,
Pratt M.D.,
Sasseville D.,
Kudla I.,
Holness D.L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22015
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational asthma , potassium dichromate , occupational dermatitis , contact dermatitis , asthma , allergic contact dermatitis , occupational exposure , dermatology , occupational medicine , allergy , environmental health , immunology , organic chemistry , chemistry
Background Workplace exposures that can potentially cause both allergic occupational contact dermatitis (AOCD) and occupational asthma (OA) are not clearly identified. Methods Occupational contact allergens (OCAs) were identified using North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) data. Reference documents and systematic reviews were used to determine whether each OCA had been reported to potentially cause OA. The presence or absence of a sensitizer notation in occupational hygiene reference documents was also examined. Results The 10 most common OCAs were: epoxy resin*, thiuram, carba mix, nickel sulfate*, cobalt chloride*, potassium dichromate*, glyceryl thioglycolate, p‐phenylenediamine*, formaldehyde* and glutaraldehyde*. Seven (indicated by *) were determined to be possible causes of OA. Information on sensitizing potential from OH reference materials contained conflicting information. Conclusions Several common OCAs can also potentially cause OA. Inhalation and dermal exposures to these agents should be controlled and both OA and AOCD should be considered as possible health outcomes. Increased consistency in sensitizer notations is needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:353–360, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.