Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Among Egg-Processing Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bernstein D ; Biagini, Raymond E. ; Boeniger, Mark F. ; Brown M ; Hull, R. DeLon ; Massoudi M ; Pinkerton LE ; Ruder A ; Ward E
• Description:
  We conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating the respiratory and immunologic effects of egg proteins among 42 egg-processing workers and 33 unexposed workers. Egg-processing workers are exposed to aerosolized egg proteins and potentially exposed to chlorine. Respiratory and nasal symptoms were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Occupational asthma (OA) was defined as work-related respiratory symptoms with a 20% decrement in peak expiratory flow rate. Egg-related OA was defined as OA with a positive skin prick test to at least one egg protein. Rhinitis was defined as reporting 2 of the following 3 symptoms: itchy, runny nose with or without sneezing; nasal stutfiness; and itchy, watery eyes. The prevalence of atopy (positive skin prick test to two or more common aeroallergens) was 24% among both egg-exposed and unexposed workers. Fifteen (36%) of the egg-exposed and none of the unexposed workers had a positive skin prick test to at least one egg protein (p<0.001). Among the 15 workers sensitized to eggs, 13 (87%) had a positive skin prick test to ovalbumin, 8 (53%) to ovamucoid, 7 (47%) to lysozyme and 9 (60%) to conalbumin. Nine (60%) of 15 sensitized workers were atopic compared to only 1 (4%) of 27 unsensitized egg-exposed workers (p<0.001). Among workers sensitized to eggs, 5 (33%) had egg-related OA; 2 of these also had rhinitis. Three (20%) had rhinitis without egg-related OA. Seven (17%) of the egg-exposed workers had OA. Two (7%) of 27 unsensitized egg-exposed workers had OA compared to 5 (33%) of 15 sensitized workers ( p = 0.08). The overall prevalence of egg-related OA among this group of egg-exposed workers was 12% compared to 5% to 10% in previous studies. Over one-half of sensitized workers had egg-related OA and/or rhinitis. Although atopic workers appear to be at higher risk of sensitization to egg proteins the prevalence of sensitization among nonatopic workers was still substantial (6 of 32). Description provided by NIOSH
• Subjects:
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Immune System
  • Irritants
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Occupational Health
  • Respiratory System
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases
  • Safety
• Keywords:
  • Sensitization
  • Sensitivity-testing
  • Occupational-exposure
  • Occupational-respiratory-disease
  • Immunological-tests
  • Immune-reaction
  • Respiratory-irritants
  • Respiratory-system-disorders
  • Pulmonary-system-disorders
• ISSN:
  0091-6749
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies ; DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  99
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20033997
• Citation:
  J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997 Jan; 99(1)(Suppl 2):S501
• CAS Registry Number:
  • Chlorine (CAS RN 7782-50-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1997
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Supplement:
  2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189388/cdc_189388_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 199.55 KB]
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e3d6c866ef99adafada5c0db1d5d5338e6ba27f561d96973e9e9e9e0a3199e4a9c28bf62cec1478746af365fda4c5a00b0481a33a8c21dd36ba56f67d3255905