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 ; 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:
  Immune-reaction Immunological-tests Occupational-exposure Occupational-respiratory-disease Pulmonary-system-disorders Respiratory-irritants Respiratory-system-disorders Sensitivity-testing Sensitization
• ISSN:
  0091-6749
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary ; Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; 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 ; DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies ; DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; 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) ; Chlorine (CAS RN 7782-50-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1997
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Supplement:
  2
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e3d6c866ef99adafada5c0db1d5d5338e6ba27f561d96973e9e9e9e0a3199e4a9c28bf62cec1478746af365fda4c5a00b0481a33a8c21dd36ba56f67d3255905
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189388/cdc_189388_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 199.55 KB ]