Outcome for setting exposure limits should be sensitisation rather than disease

An expert group gave evidence to the health council of the Netherlands related to standard setting for exposure limits for respiratory sensitisers. The report concentrates on bakers and laboratory animal workers for which there is best evidence of exposure-response relationships. They believe that sensitisation (i.e. the production of specific IgE) is a prerequisite for the development of occupational asthma, and that there is a threshold exposure needed for sensitisation, which is lower in atopic than non-atopic workers. Exposure standards should be set to prevent sensitisation. This is a much easier and less controversial enpoin than either occupational rhinitis or asthma, but will lead to very low exposure standards for bakery and laboratory animal exposure.

References

	Rijnkels JM, Smid T, Van den Aker EC, Burdorf A, van Wijk RG, Heederik DJJ, Houben GF, Van Loveren H, Pal TM, Van Rooy FGBGJ, Van der Zee JS, Prevention of work-related airway allergies; summary of the advice from the Health Council of the Netherlands, Allergy, 2008;63:1593-1596,

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