Reference

BOHRF Original Authors' Main Conclusions

The original authors' main conclusions are taken from Abstract, Results and Discussion. They are decided upon by the authors of the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines and form part of the guidelines.

A questionnaire survey of 414 workers handling reactive dyes showed that over 15% had work-related respiratory or nasal symptoms. 49 employees with symptoms were referred to chest clinics for detailed assessment. In 19 subjects, the symptoms were attributed to an irritant response whereas in 24, symptoms were attributed to an allergic reaction to a specific agent. A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) screen containing the most commonly used reactive dyes was used to detect specific IgE. 68% of those with irritant reactions and 86% of those with 'allergic' reactions were atopic. It seems possible that the relatively high proportion of atopics among those experiencing irritant reaction reflects the increased bronchial responsiveness in atopics as compared with the non-atopic population. Atopy may also predispose to specific IgE antibody production to reactive dyes; specific IgE was identified in 81% of those with 'allergic' symptoms but only 37% of those with irritant symptoms.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

The BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines state that this reference is associated with the following evidence statements