Mohamed F Jeebhay1, Roslynn Baatjies1,2. 1. Occupational Medicine Division and Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town. 2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Cape Town, South Africa.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Baker's allergy and asthma continue to represent an important contributor of occupational asthma globally. This review identified recent studies related to the prevention of baker's allergy and asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies with respect to regulatory exposure standards, workplace control measures aimed at reduction of flour dust exposures, surveillance programmes (exposure monitoring, medical surveillance) and workplace information, education and training programmes were identified. SUMMARY: Detailed knowledge on risk factors and detection methods to assess exposure and early identification of high-risk workers exist, but workplace control measures remain sub-optimal because they are rarely multifaceted. This is compounded by the lack of health-based exposure standards globally. Exposure level monitoring and medical surveillance are integral to assessing effectiveness of preventive strategies. Triage systems for optimizing the efficiency of medical surveillance programmes show promise, but need replication in different contexts. Future studies need to focus on evaluating the relevance and quantification of peak exposures in increasing risk; developing standardized respiratory questionnaires for medical surveillance; and further exploration of serial fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements as an adjunct to allergic sensitization for the early identification of baker's asthma and assessing the long-term impact of interventions.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Baker's allergy and asthma continue to represent an important contributor of occupational asthma globally. This review identified recent studies related to the prevention of baker's allergy and asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies with respect to regulatory exposure standards, workplace control measures aimed at reduction of flour dust exposures, surveillance programmes (exposure monitoring, medical surveillance) and workplace information, education and training programmes were identified. SUMMARY: Detailed knowledge on risk factors and detection methods to assess exposure and early identification of high-risk workers exist, but workplace control measures remain sub-optimal because they are rarely multifaceted. This is compounded by the lack of health-based exposure standards globally. Exposure level monitoring and medical surveillance are integral to assessing effectiveness of preventive strategies. Triage systems for optimizing the efficiency of medical surveillance programmes show promise, but need replication in different contexts. Future studies need to focus on evaluating the relevance and quantification of peak exposures in increasing risk; developing standardized respiratory questionnaires for medical surveillance; and further exploration of serial fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements as an adjunct to allergic sensitization for the early identification of baker's asthma and assessing the long-term impact of interventions.
Authors: Julia Engel; Vera van Kampen; Anne Lotz; Jessica Abramowski; Vitali Gering; Olaf Hagemeyer; Thomas Brüning; Monika Raulf; Rolf Merget Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2018-05-30 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Henry Aidoo; Jeremy Beach; Rebecca Elbourne; Jean-Michel F Galarneau; Sebastian Straube; Nicola Cherry Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2018-11-12 Impact factor: 2.179
Authors: Roslynn Baatjies; Tim Meijster; Dick Heederik; Ingrid Sander; Mohamed F Jeebhay Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2014-06-04 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Joshua C Lipszyc; Simeon Gotzev; Jack Scarborough; Gary M Liss; Samir Gupta; Susan M Tarlo Journal: J Asthma Date: 2016-05-12 Impact factor: 2.515