Work-related asthma among professional cleaning women

ABSTRACT

The job of cleaning has developed dynamically as a working service, and women constitute the majority of all professional cleaning workers. Cleaners are at an increased risk of work-related asthma (WRA). This study characterizes work-related respiratory symptoms reported by female cleaners, evaluates any associated factors of WRA, and shows diagnostic management of medical certification. The study group comprised 50 professional cleaning women referred to our Occupational Diseases Department due to suspicion of occupational asthma (OA). A questionnaire, skin prick tests, serum specific IgE antibodies, and specific inhalant challenge were performed in all of the participants. Work-related asthma was recognized in 46% of symptomatic cleaners, of whom 15 were considered as having work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) and 8 as having OA. Sensitization to latex and disinfectants played an important role as a causative agent in OA of cleaners.

KEYWORDS:

• Cleaners
• disinfectants
• occupational allergy
• occupational asthma (OA)
• work-exacerbated asthma (WEA)
• work-related asthma (WRA)

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Professor Susan M. Tarlo from the University of Toronto for revising the final version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by Polish National Science Centre [grant number DEC-2011/03/N/NZ7/06284].