Occupational exposure and new-onset asthma in a population-based study in Northern Europe (RHINE).

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

In a large population-based study among adults in northern Europe the relation between occupational exposure and new-onset asthma was studied.

METHODS:

The study comprised 13 284 subjects born between 1945 and 1973, who answered a questionnaire 1989-1992 and again 1999-2001. Asthma was defined as 'Asthma diagnosed by a physician' with reported year of diagnose. Hazard ratios (HR), for new-onset adult asthma during 1980-2000, were calculated using a modified job-exposure matrix as well as high-risk occupations in Cox regression models. The analyses were made separately for men and women and were also stratified for atopy.

RESULTS:

During the observation period there were 429 subjects with new-onset asthma with an asthma incidence of 1.3 cases per 1000 person-years for men and 2.4 for women. A significant increase in new-onset asthma was seen for men exposed to plant-associated antigens (HR = 3.6; 95% CI [confidence interval] = 1.4-9.0), epoxy (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.5), diisocyanates (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2-3.7) and accidental peak exposures to irritants (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.7). Both men and women exposed to cleaning agents had an increased asthma risk. When stratifying for atopy an increased asthma risk were seen in non-atopic men exposed to acrylates (HR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.4-7.5), epoxy compounds (HR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.6-7.9), diisocyanates and accidental peak exposures to irritants (HR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.2-7.2). Population attributable risk for occupational asthma was 14% for men and 7% for women.

CONCLUSIONS:

This population-based study showed that men exposed to epoxy, diisocyanates and acrylates had an increased risk of new-onset asthma. Non-atopics seemed to be at higher risk than atopics, except for exposure to high molecular weight agents. Increased asthma risks among cleaners, spray painters, plumbers, and hairdressers were confirmed.

• Authors: Linnéa Lillienberg, Eva Andersson, Christer Janson, Anna Dahlman-Höglund, Bertil Forsberg, Mathias Holm, Thorarinn Glslason, Rain Jögi, Ernst Omenaas, Vivi Schlünssen, Torben Sigsgaard, Cecilie Svanes, Kjell Torén
• Journal: The Annals of occupational hygiene (Ann Occup Hyg) Vol. 57 Issue 4 Pg. 482-92 (May 2013) ISSN: 1475-3162 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23204511 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Acrylates
• Detergents
• Epoxy Compounds
• Irritants

Topics

• Acrylates (adverse effects)
• Adult
• Asthma, Occupational (epidemiology, etiology)
• Detergents (adverse effects)
• Epoxy Compounds (adverse effects)
• Europe
• Female
• Humans
• Irritants (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Diseases (epidemiology)
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects, statistics & numerical data)
• Risk Factors