Asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis in workers exposed to reactive dyes

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Allergology
• Textile Industry Safety

Background:

• Textile dyehouse employees face potential exposure to respiratory and skin irritants.
• Work-related rhinitis, asthma, and dermatitis are common concerns in this occupational group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of specific allergies to reactive dyes among textile plant employees.
• To identify the immunological basis of work-related symptoms in dyehouse workers.

Main Methods:

• Clinical and immunological investigations were offered to 1142 employees at 15 textile plants.
• Methods included skin prick tests, skin patch tests, and radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs) for reactive dye allergy.
• Focus on employees with a history of work-related respiratory or skin symptoms.

Main Results:

• Ten out of 162 employees exposed to reactive dyes reported work-related respiratory or nasal symptoms (6%).
• Specific allergy to reactive dyes was confirmed in five employees (3%), with positive RASTs in four.
• Cross-reactivity between certain reactive dyes was observed via RAST and RAST inhibition.
• Seven cases of work-related dermatitis and three of urticaria/Quincke edema were identified.

Conclusions:

• IgE-mediated allergy to reactive dyes is a key factor in respiratory and nasal symptoms among exposed dyehouse workers.
• Early onset of symptoms (within one year of exposure) was noted in most allergic individuals.
• While contact dermatitis to other dyes occurred, IgE-mediated allergy to reactive dyes is highlighted as a significant occupational hazard.