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Occupational allergies in Finland in 1981-91
1Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Allergy Proceedings : the Official Journal of Regional and State Allergy Societies
|May 1, 1994
Summary
Occupational asthma and rhinitis cases significantly increased in Finland between 1981-1991. Early diagnosis of these allergic occupational diseases is crucial for environmental control and worker health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational medicine
- Allergy and immunology
- Public health
Background:
- Occupational diseases encompass a range of conditions arising from workplace exposures.
- Allergic respiratory and skin diseases are significant components of occupational morbidity.
- Trends in occupational disease reporting highlight shifts in etiological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the trends in occupational asthma and rhinitis in Finland from 1981 to 1991.
- To determine the proportion of occupational allergies among all reported occupational diseases.
- To assess the incidence rates of occupational respiratory diseases in specific worker populations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of national occupational disease statistics in Finland.
- Comparison of reported cases of occupational asthma, rhinitis, and all occupational diseases over a decade.
- Calculation of incidence rates for occupational respiratory diseases.
Main Results:
- Cases of occupational asthma rose by 125% and occupational rhinitis by 421% between 1981 and 1991.
- Occupational allergies constituted 15% of all occupational diseases reported in 1991.
- High incidence rates were observed in bakery (374/100,000) and farming (241/100,000) workers.
Conclusions:
- Clinical allergy plays an increasingly vital role in diagnosing occupational diseases.
- Improved diagnosis and management of occupational allergies can lead to better environmental controls and disease reduction.
- Occupational rhinitis is an underrecognized but significant occupational health concern.