Asthma may preceed rhinitis in detergent enzyme workers

A case control study within an occupational cohort of workers with high exposure to detergent enzymes showed that asthma preceeded rhinitis more commonly than the rhinitis coming first. The peak incidence was between 1 and 4 years after first exposure. Whether this applies to low level exposure is unclear, but other studies have shown that sensitisation occurs earlier if exposures are higher.

References

	Brant A, Upchurch S, van Tongeren M, Zekveld C, Helm J, Barnes F, Newman Taylor AJ, Cullinan P, Detergent protease exposure and respiratory disease: case-referent analysis of a retrospective cohort, Occup Environ Med, 2009;66:754-758,

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