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The Relationship Between Potential Occupational Sensitizing Exposures and Asthma: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Annett Dalbøge1,2, Henrik Albert Kolstad1, Charlotte Suppli Ulrik3
1Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
|December 6, 2022
Summary
This study reviewed evidence on occupational exposures causing asthma. Strong evidence links wood dust, toluene diisocyanates, and animal laboratory work to occupational asthma.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Occupational asthma is a significant public health concern.
- Identifying specific sensitizing agents in the workplace is crucial for prevention.
- Previous research has focused on individual exposures, necessitating a comprehensive overview.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on occupational sensitizing exposures linked to asthma development.
- To evaluate the strength of evidence for various occupational exposures causing asthma.
- To provide an updated overview of scientifically recognized asthma-inducing workplace agents.
Main Methods:
- An overview of systematic reviews methodology was employed.
- A systematic literature search identified relevant reviews published up to February 2020.
- Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated evidence quality.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven systematic reviews, encompassing 1242 studies and 486 exposures, were analyzed.
- Strong evidence supports wood dust, toluene diisocyanates, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and laboratory animal exposure as asthma causes.
- Moderate evidence was found for mites, fish, and 52 other specific exposures.
Conclusions:
- Hundreds of potential occupational sensitizing exposures linked to asthma were identified.
- Strong evidence confirms specific agents like wood dust and certain chemicals/biologicals as occupational asthma triggers.
- This overview aids in targeted prevention strategies for occupational asthma.
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