OBJECTIVES Chloramine T is a known sensitising agent in the occupational environment of health care workers. In cases of occupational hazards induced by this agent, a clinical history may be far from conclusive, hence appropriate provocation tests are absolutely essential. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the nasal challenge test in diagnostics of respiratory allergy to ch...

BACKGROUND Rubber additives constitute an important group of contact allergens, particularly in certain occupations. OBJECTIVES To collect information regarding the current practice of using a 'rubber series' in Europe, and discuss this against the background of evidence concerning the prevalence of allergy in order to derive a recommendation for a 'European rubber series'. METHODS The foll...

BACKGROUND Amines in epoxy hardeners are significant causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis among workers who use epoxy resin systems. OBJECTIVES To describe a novel group of contact allergens: N-(2-phenylethyl) derivatives of the reactive amine 1,3-benzenedimethanamine (1,3-BDMA). METHODS We describe the clinical examinations and exposure of 6 patients with occupational contact...

BACKGROUND Coir is a commercially important natural fiber obtained from the coconut husk. Coir can be woven into strong twine or rope, and is used for padding mattresses, upholstery, etc. Coir industry provides a major share of occupation to the natives of Alappuzha district of Kerala State. It has been noticed earlier that there is increased incidence of nasobronchial allergy among the populat...

The prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy has been estimated to be 5-18% in health care workers, and latex exposure has been one of the leading causes of occupational asthma in the last several years. We present the cases of two nurses who developed sensitivity to NRL, both with dermatologic symptoms and respiratory symptoms that included asthma. They were referred to the University ...

1Allergy Related Disease Unit, G d’Annunzio University Foundation, Chieti, Italy 2Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, Section of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Occupational Medicine, G d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy 3Allergy Unit, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy 4Allergy/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, ICP Hospital, Milan, Italy 5Biostatistical Laboratory, Department of Biomedic...

Random orbital (rotating) hand sanders have been found to create significant amounts of wood dust. Workers exposed to wood dusts have experienced a variety of adverse health effects such as eye and skin irritation, allergy, reduced lung function, asthma, and nasal cancer. Therefore, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health* (NIOSH) recommends limiting wood dust exposures to pre...

The use of large diameter disc sanders creates significant amounts of wood dust. Workers exposed to wood dusts have experienced a variety of adverse health effects such as eye and skin irritation, allergy, reduced lung function, asthma, and nasal cancer. Therefore, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health* (NIOSH) recommends limiting wood dust exposures to prevent these health ...

We report three new cases of allergy to Gammarus, two of them involving cutaneous symptoms, and the third one with occupational asthma. The results showed exposure to feed containing Gammarus shrimp to be the main cause of the allergic symptoms in the three patients. In all cases the intervention of IgE was demonstrated, with the absence of cross-reactions with other common allergenic arthropods.

Ulrik Fischer Friis1, Jakob Dahlin2, Magnus Bruze2, Torkil Menné3 and Jeanne Duus Johansen1 1National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark, 2Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital Malmö, 20502, Malmö, Sweden, and 3Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University...