Self reported respiratory symptoms and diseases among hairdressers.

Abstract

Objectives-Hairdressers are exposed to many irritative and allergenic substances capable of causing occupational respiratory symptoms and diseases. The self reported prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases was studied, and the risks among hairdressers compared with saleswomen was estimated. Methods-A cross sectional prevalence study of respiratory symptoms and diseases was carried out among hairdressers and supermarket saleswomen, with a computer assisted telephone interview method (CATI). The These were used to define chronic bronchitis, and asthma, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis diagnosed by a physician. Results-There was a considerable difference in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis; 6.8% in hairdressers versus 1.9% in saleswomen. The odds ratio (OR) adjusted for age, smoking, and atopy for chronic bronchitis indicated an increased risk of chronic bronchitis (OR 4.8, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.2 to 10.1). No association was found between work as a hairdresser and asthma, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis. Also the prevalence of rhinitis, rhinitis with eye symptoms, cough with phlegm, dyspnoea, and dyspnoea accompanied by cough was increased among hairdressers. The corresponding adjusted risk ORs were 1.7 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) for rhinitis, 1.9 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.6) for rhinitis with eye symptoms, 1.4 (CI 1.1 to 1.9) for cough with phlegm, 1.5 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.2) for dyspnoea, and 1.6 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.7) for dyspnoea with cough.Conclusions-Our results indicate an increased prevalence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms among hairdressers. Allergenic and irritative chemicals in hairdressing are likely candidates explaining the difference found between the hairdressers and controls. Work related reasons should be considered when a hairdresser presents with airway symptoms. Preventive actions are needed to improve the working conditions and personal protection. (Occup Environ Med 1997;54:452-455)

Occupational skin and respiratory diseases among hairdressers

“…After removing the 61 hairdressers whose telephone number was not traceable, the 10 who refused to participate, and the 15 who could not be contacted, we were left with 355 complete interviews. The interviews were performed in February-April 1994; they included questions about diseases diagnosed by a physician, respiratory and skin symptoms and their duration, and worktasks that aggravated the respiratory and skin symptoms (10).…”

A study of the prevalence of respiratory morbidity and ventilatory obstruction in beauty parlour workers

“…Hair dressers are exposed to many chemicals found in hair sprays, setting agents, hair coloring, hair lacquers, henna and permanent-wave solutions, which can potentially affect respiratory health but the etiological agents are uncertain. [3,4] Earlier studies have reported a variety of clinical manifestations including lung cancer among female cosmetologists, [5] malignant neoplasms and all lymphatic and hemopoetic cancers among black and white hair dressers. [6] A risk of developing lung cancer was found among beauticians and other female workers.…”

Gene expression in nasal lavage from hairdressers exposed to persulphate

“…Keywords Cytokines, Gene expression, Interferon, Interleukin, Persulphate 4 Introduction Work-related airways symptoms, especially rhinitis, are very common in hairdressers (Albin et al 2002;Brisman et al 2003;Leino et al 1997Leino et al , 1998. Among hairdressers who could point out a causative agent for their airway symptoms, 80 -90% named bleaching powder (Albin et al 2002;Leino et al 1998).…”