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Occupational exposures and asthma among nursing professionals
A A Arif1, G L Delclos, C Serra
1The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, 9201 University City Blvd, CHHS Building 429, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. aarif@uncc.edu
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|January 24, 2009
Summary
New-onset asthma in nurses is linked to workplace cleaning product exposure. This study identifies specific occupational risks, including cleaning tasks and disinfectant use, contributing to increased asthma development in healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Asthma is a significant occupational disease affecting healthcare workers.
- Identifying specific workplace exposures is crucial for preventing new-onset asthma among nurses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine occupational exposure risk factors for new-onset asthma in nurses.
- To compare asthma development and bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) symptoms across different healthcare professional groups.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey of Texas nurses (70% response rate) compared to three other healthcare groups.
- Occupational exposures assessed via a job-exposure matrix, including cleaning tasks, latex gloves, aerosolized medications, and adhesives/solvents.
- Outcome variables included physician-diagnosed new-onset asthma and BHR symptoms.
Main Results:
- Adjusted analysis showed increased asthma risk for nurses in medical instrument cleaning (OR=1.67) and exposed to general cleaning products/disinfectants (OR=1.72).
- Powdered latex glove use (1992-2000) was associated with higher asthma odds (OR=1.6).
- BHR symptoms were linked to cleaning products/disinfectants (OR=1.57) and adhesives/glues/solvents (OR=1.51).
Conclusions:
- Workplace exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants significantly increases the risk of new-onset asthma in nursing professionals.
- Specific occupational tasks and materials are associated with increased asthma and BHR symptoms in nurses.
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