[Prevalence of occupational allergic symptoms among bakers of Verona]

The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory and skin symptoms among bakers in the district of Verona by means of two standardized questionnaires, a clinical one administered to the bakeries employees, either directly exposed to flour dust or not exposed, and one concerning the characteristics of the bakery environment. The study involved 613 bakery workers, 401 bakers and 212 sales personnel employed in 152 bakeries. Bakers exposed to flour dust reported nasal symptoms in 29.2% of cases, ocular symptoms in 13.2%, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing respectively in 8.7%, 7%, 4.5% 6.2% of cases, itch and skin burning with paleness respectively in 9.7% and 8.5%. A significantly lower prevalence of these symptoms, except skin paleness, was reported among the sales personnel. In bakers, a significant correlation was found between ocular-nasal and respiratory symptoms and family or self-reported history of atopy (p = 0.001). Reported flour dust air pollution at the workplace correlated with occupational ocular-nasal and respiratory symptoms (p = 0.001). Flour dust on skin and clothes correlated with crusts and excoriations (p = 0.01). Our study confirms the high prevalence of allergic symptoms among bakers and the need of clinical assessment.