Asthma characteristics in cleaning workers, workers in other risk jobs and office workers
Open accessAbstract
Several studies have demonstrated an excess risk for asthma among cleaning workers. The aim of this analysis was to compare clinical, immunological and functional characteristics associated with asthma in cleaners and other occupational groups. Cleaners, workers exposed to high molecular weight (MW) agents, workers exposed to low MW agents, and office workers were identified from an international community-based epidemiological study. Influence of sex, smoking, age and atopy on the relationships with asthma was investigated. Rates of respiratory symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, atopic sensitisation and lung function were compared between asthmatics from the four groups (case-case analysis). The risk for asthma in workers exposed to low MW agents was higher among nonatopics than among atopics. Case-case analysis showed no major differences in asthma characteristics between cleaners and workers exposed to high or low MW agents. Asthmatic cleaners had less atopy, more chronic bronchitis and a lower lung function as compared to office workers. Asthma in cleaning workers showed many similarities with that in workers known to be at risk for occupational asthma. Atopic sensitisation did not seem to play an important role in cleaning-related asthma.
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Other studies have reported that exposure to irritants can cause irritation and inflammatory effects on the airways.
“Other studies have reported that exposure to irritants can cause irritation and inflammatory effects on the airways 7, 18–20.”
From Exposure to trichloramine and respiratory symptoms in indoor swimming pool workers (2007) · cites this paper as [18]
The Discussion reports more productive cough among cleaners with asthma and speculates that regular irritant exposure may lead to mucus hypersecretion and chronic bronchitis. It does not establish that irritants cause these effects or report inflammatory effects on the airways. Page numbers are not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredExposure to certain chlorine-related agents and possibly also to other cleaning agents aggravates asthma symptoms in domestic cleaners.
“Exposure to certain chlorine-related agents and possibly also to other cleaning agents aggravates asthma symptoms in domestic cleaners 18–20.”
From Exposure to trichloramine and respiratory symptoms in indoor swimming pool workers (2007) · cites this paper as [18]
The Abstract reports that cleaning products may be associated with work-aggravated asthma and identifies chlorine as a potentially responsible agent. The Discussion notes a reported excess asthma risk in domestic cleaning, but says this study could not assess specific products or cleaning settings. It therefore does not establish that chlorine-related agents aggravate asthma symptoms specifically in domestic cleaners. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAtopic sensitisation did not seem to play an important role in cleaning-related asthma.
“Atopic sensitisation did not seem to play an important role in this cleaning-related asthma 18.”
From Exposure to trichloramine and respiratory symptoms in indoor swimming pool workers (2007) · cites this paper as [18]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Zock, J. P., Kogevinas, M., Sunyer, J., Jarvis, D., Torén, K., & Antó, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Hospital Del Mar (ES)
- King's College London (GB)
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- Venue
- European Respiratory Journal
- Publisher
- European Respiratory Society (ERS)
- Published
- 2002-09
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 679-685
- ISSN
- 0903-1936 (ISSN-L)
- 1399-3003
- OpenAlex
- W2125605725
- Cited by
- 93
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 4.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- European Respiratory Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- Institutional Research Information System University of Turin (University of Turin) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01hl062633-03)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1 R01 HL62633-01)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Occupational exposure and asthma
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Keywords
- occupational asthma, cleaning workers, office workers, atopy, atopic sensitization, airway hyperresponsiveness, lung function, chronic bronchitis, respiratory symptoms, smoking, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Asthma, Bronchial Provocation Tests, Female, Forced Expiratory Volume, Humans, Immunoglobulin E, Male, Occupational Diseases, Occupations, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Vital Capacity, Occupational Exposure
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