To examine the occupations, industries and exposures in the work-place which were associated with a high risk for asthma and other adverse respiratory health effects, with particular emphasis on specific exposures of predominantly female occupations (irritants, detergents and other asthmagens), and of other high risk major occupations which had not been adequately examined.

BACKGROUND:

Respiratory diseases are strongly related with exposure in the workplace. A considerable proportion of adult onset asthma is associated with these exposures. The importance of occupational risk factors for asthma has been underestimated, particularly among women. The occupational asthma study (ECRHS-OA) forms part of a wider international multicentre survey on respiratory health (European Community Respiratory Health Survey-ECRHS). The first phase of the ECRHS was conducted in 1991/92 and examined risk factors for asthma and atopy in subjects aged 20-44 years. The study updated (ECRHS-II), following-up approximately 17,000 young adults from 12 countries (Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA).

The study provided valid and precise estimates on the importance of specific occupations, industries and exposures in relation to asthma incidence and prevalence, similar estimates for other respiratory symptoms and diseases and also for declines in pulmonary function.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

Longitudinal, community-based, multicenter study. Those subjects who took part in the first occupational asthma study survey were re-contacted in 1999, to determine risk factors for incidence and remission of asthma, other respiratory symptoms, atopy, changes in bronchial responsiveness and lung function. Subjects were asked to perform a forced spirometry, methacholine challenge and to provide blood samples for IgE testing. A questionnaire administrated by trained interviewers was delivered requesting information on respiratory symptoms and diseases, socio-demographic factors, tobacco smoking, complete occupational history since the last survey, environmental exposures, family history, diet, treatment and use of health services. Modular occupational questionnaires were developed for subjects employed as cleaners, homemakers, welders, metal workers, nurses, and subjects exposed to organic dusts in the paper and textile industries.

• Asthma
• Lung Diseases

• Zock JP, Kogevinas M, Sunyer J, Almar E, Muniozguren N, Payo F, Sanchez JL, Anto JM. Asthma risk, cleaning activities and use of specific cleaning products among Spanish indoor cleaners. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2001 Feb;27(1):76-81.
• Zock JP, Kogevinas M, Sunyer J, Jarvis D, Toren K, Anto JM. Asthma characteristics in cleaning workers, workers in other risk jobs and office workers. Eur Respir J. 2002 Sep;20(3):679-85.
• Zock JP, Cavalle N, Kromhout H, Kennedy SM, Sunyer J, Jaen A, Muniozguren N, Payo F, Almar E, Sanchez JL, Anto JM, Kogevinas M. Evaluation of specific occupational asthma risks in a community-based study with special reference to single and multiple exposures. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol. 2004 Sep;14(5):397-403.
• de Vocht F, Zock JP, Kromhout H, Sunyer J, Anto JM, Burney P, Kogevinas M. Comparison of self-reported occupational exposure with a job exposure matrix in an international community-based study on asthma. Am J Ind Med. 2005 May;47(5):434-42.

No eligibility criteria