Think of Workplace Exposure in New-Onset Adult Asthma

Exposure to pulmonary irritants can lead to asthma. To determine occupational risk, investigators conducted a prospective follow-up study of 6847 people who had participated in the 1990–1995 European Community Respiratory Health Survey. At the time of the initial survey, participants were aged 20 to 44 years and did not have a history of asthma or respiratory symptoms.

The investigators identified high-risk occupations by using an asthma job-exposure matrix that incorporated 18 high-risk substances, including those that cause IgE-mediated sensitization (e.g., latex, flour), those that cause non–IgE-mediated sensitization (e.g., isocyanates, anhydrides), bioaerosols (e.g., molds, endotoxins), and mixed environments (e.g., metalwork fluids, ir…