Occupational allergies are generally regarded as diseases resulting from a hypersensitivity (exaggerated response) of the immune system to substances encountered in the work environment. Bakers’ asthma, like other forms of occupational asthma, is probably the most serious manifestation of occupational allergy among bakery workers. It is caused by immunological sensitisation and subsequent aller...

A survey was carried out on respiratory symptoms and skin prick test response to common allergens (atopy), storage mites, and occupational allergens among 226 bakers and pastry makers from 105 small businesses in northern Italy. Atopy was present in 54 workers (23.4%); 40 workers (17.7%) were skin positive to at least one storage mite, 27 (11.9%) to wheat flour and 17 (7.5%) to alpha-amylase. W...

OBJECTIVES To explore relations between two estimates of exposure to inhalable flour dust, and the incidence rates (IRs) of asthma and rhinitis in bakers. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study among 2923 bakers. A posted questionnaire registered the disease and work history. For every year, each baker was assigned an estimate of the exposure concentration to inhalable flour dust deriv...