Prevalence and predictors of asthma in working groups in British Columbia

Abstract

We evaluated the prevalence of asthma and its predictors in studies of several male working groups: 619 cedar sawmill, 724 grain elevator, 399 pulpmill, 798 aluminum smelter, and 1,127 unexposed workers. These workers had taken part in health studies for assessment of chronic respiratory effects of various workplace exposures between 1979 and 1982. The American Thoracic Society Adult Questionnaire (ATS-DLD-78) was used for these studies. Allergy skin tests were also performed. The participation rates were > 80%. The overall prevalance of physician-diagnosed asthma was 4.6%, and current asthma 3%. The prevalence of asthma after employment in the current industry, as a surrogate for work-related asthma, was 3.9 times higher in cedar sawmill workers, 2.2 times higher in pulpmill and aluminum smelter workers, and 1.7 times higher in grain elevator workers compared with unexposed workers. Atopy and a positive parental history of asthma, but not smoking, were important risk factors for asthma before the onset of first employment. Also, for asthma after employment in the current industry, atopy and a positive parental history of asthma were important risk factors. Smoking was associated with a significant reduction in the risk for asthma after employment in the current industry. Within specific work groups, the prevalence of atopy was significantly higher among pulpmill workers with asthma after employment in current industry than those without asthma. Conversely, cedar sawmill workers who had asthma after employment in the current industry were nonatopic and nonsmokers.

Prevalence and correlates of asthma among selected garment factory workers at the Free Trade Zone, Ekala

“…Atopy was reported to be significantly associated with occupational asthma in the British Columbian study (11), the Brazilian study (19) and the studies on animal shelter workers (20) and dental health care workers.17 In the British Columbian study family history was observed to be a risk factor for BA both before and after employment in the current industry (11). However, according to Ameille et al (9) role of genetics lacks consistency in being reported as a significant factor.…”

“…In a cross sectional study done on adult male tannery workers in Pakistan (10), the prevalence of asthma was reported to be 10.8% of which 5.3% was perceived work related asthma. In a British Columbian study done on employees of selected industries, the overall prevalence of physiciandiagnosed asthma was 4.6%, and current asthma 3% (11).…”

Controversies in epidemiology of occupational asthma

“…[22], and greenhouses [23]. These surveys have been restricted to individual workplaces or to groups of individuals from the same occupation [24]. More recently, population-based studies have been undertaken to estimate the prevalence of OA [25][26][27]; in addition, data from population surveys have been analysed to derive such estimates [28].…”

Occupational asthma: a review.

“…Workers who smoke and have been exposed to platinum salts, acid anhydrides, snow crab, green coffee beans, and ispaghula have been shown to have greater risk of developing occupational asthma than their nonsmoking coworkers (14). In contrast, for most sensitizing agents that cause asthma through mechanisms not involving specific IgE antibodies, such as diisocyanates and western red cedar, atopy and smoking do not appear to be risk factors (15,16).…”