Which agents cause occupational asthma and which workers are at risk?

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The workers most commonly reported to surveillance schemes of occupational asthma include paint sprayers, bakers and pastry makers, nurses, chemical workers, animal handlers, welders, food processing workers and timber workers.

Evidence

Ameille J, Pauli G, CalastrengCrinquand A et al , Reported incidence of occupational asthma in France , J Occup Environ Med , 2003 ; 60 : 136-41

Brhel P , Occupational respiratory diseases in the Czech Republic , Ind Health , 2003 ; 41 : 121-123

Gannon PFG, Burge PS , The SHIELD scheme in the West Midlands Region, United Kingdom , Br J Ind Med , 1993 ; 50 : 791-796

Karjalainen A, Kurppa K, Martikainen R et al , Exploration of asthma risk by occupation - extended analysis of an incidence study of the finnish population , Scand J Work Environ Health , 2002 ; 28 : 49-57

McDonald JC, Keynes HL, Meredith SK , Reported Incidence Of Occupational Asthma In The United Kingdom 1989-97. , Occup Environ Med , 2000 ; 57 : 823-829

Meredith SK, Taylor VM, McDonald JC , Occupational respiratory disease in the United Kingdom 1989: a report to the British Thoracic Society and the Society of Occupational Medicine by the SWORD project group , Br J Ind Med , 1991 ; 48 : 292-298

Meyer JD, Holt DL, Cherry NM et al , SWORD '98: surveillance of work-related and occupational respiratory disease in the UK , Occup Med (London) , 1999 ; 49 : 485-489

Reijula K, Haahtela T, Klaukka T et al , Incidence of occupational asthma and persistent asthma in young adults has increased in Finland , Chest , 1996 ; 110 : 58-61

Sallie BA, Ross DJ, Meredith SK et al , SWORD '93. Surveillance of work-related and occupational respiratory disease in the UK , Occup Med (London) , 1994 ; 44 : 177-182

Toren K, Jaervholm B, Brisman J et al , Adult-onset asthma and occupational exposures , Scand J Work Environ Health , 1999 ; 25 : 430-435