Is exposure to agents in the workplace a risk factor for developing occupational asthma?
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2++
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The risk of sensitisation and occupational asthma is increased by higher exposures to many workplace agents.
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This statement is in the "Epidemiology"
section of evidence linked statements
Evidence
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Ann Occup Hyg
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45
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An Outbreak Of Asthma In A Modern Detergent Factory
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356
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Cullinan P, Lowson D, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ et al
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,
Occup Environ Med
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54
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Assessment of risk factors for IgE-mediated sensitisation to tetrachlorophthalic anhydride
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J Allergy Clin Immunol
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92
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McSharry C, Anderson K, McKay IC, Colloff MJ, Feyerabend C, Wilson, RB, Wilkinson PC
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Clin Exp Immunol
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1994
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Osterman K, Zetterstrom O, Johansson SG
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,
Allergy
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37
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PlattsMills TAE, Longbottom J, Edwards J, Cockcroft A, Wilkins S
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Occupational asthma and rhinitis related to laboratory rats: serum IgG and IgE antibodies to the rat urinary allergen
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J Allergy Clin Immunol
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1987
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79
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Tarlo SM, Liss GM, Dias C et al
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Assessment of the relationship between isocyanate exposure levels and occupational asthma
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Am J Ind Med
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32
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Vanhanen M, Tuomi T, Nordman H et al
,
Sensitisation to industrial enzymes in enzyme research and production
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Scand J Work Environ Health
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23
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,
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,
JAMA
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;
26
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Principal reccomendations
This statement supports the following principal reccomendations
View the principal reccomendations
Employers and their health and safety personnel should be aware that the major determinant of risk for the development of occupational asthma is the level of exposure to its causes.
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Employers should implement programmes to prevent (i.e. reduce the incidence) of occupational asthma by removing or reducing exposure to its causes through elimination or substitution and where this is not possible, by effective control of exposure.
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