BACKGROUND Numerous studies confirm the association between exposure to indoor air dampness and molds and different health outcomes. Of these, upper respiratory tract problems are the most commonly reported work-related symptoms in damp indoor environments. The aim of this study was to describe a clinically investigated patient series with occupational rhinitis induced by molds. METHODS Nasal...

BACKGROUND Occupational contact dermatitis is common in healthcare workers. Although irritant contact dermatitis resulting from wet work is the most frequently reported cause, healthcare workers also constitute high-risk group for the development of allergic contact dermatitis and contact urticaria. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence of delayed-type and immediate-type hypersensitivity in 1...

Occupational asthma has become the most prevalent occupational lung disease in developed countries. At present, about 200 agents have been implicated in causing occupational asthma in the workplace. These agents can be divided into two categories by their mechanism of action: immunological and nonimmunological. Immunological causes can be further divided into those that induce asthma through an...

Immediate hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex (NRL) has become increasingly common during the last 20 years. It is currently one of the most frequently encountered occupational diseases among the healthcare workers and a problem even in other occupations where protective gloves are used. Several groups at high risk for developing NRL allergy have been defined, including healthcare workers ...

Work-related asthma (WRA) and WRA-like conditions refer to all situations in which asthma or asthma-like syndromes occur or worsen in the workplace. This occurs in approximately 10% of all adult-onset asthma subjects. Occupational asthma (OA) is a specific type of WRA that is 'caused' by the workplace, being mediated either by an allergic process with a latency period or by a non-allergic irrit...

Three cases of occupational dermatitis due to additives to rubber gloves are discussed. These cases were not a result of latex allergy and their dermatitis caused by vulcanization accelerator in rubber gloves. Most people have heard of latex allergy, and some people avoid the use of latex products. However, some rubber-related contact dermatitis of hands is caused by additives such as vulcaniza...