Secondary |
Smith |
1999 |
UK |
HMW |
Baking allergens, Plants |
Grain dust, Fungal amylase |
Flour milling, baking operators |
Occupational asthma |
Transfer to low exposure area, Health surveillance (1993, 5 years) Health surveillance: employee was screened on appointment and then on annual basis by questionnaire where symptom reporting resulted in physician consultation. Consultation included occupational history and work-related symptoms. |
Employees who could be exposed to dusts from any powdered ingredient were included in the health surveillance programme Limitation: no report of participation rate |
For subjects with OA who were diagnosed before establishment of program in 1993 (n=17), 10 subjects improved in symptoms, 6 remained unchanged, and one worsened in symptoms. For subjects with OA who were diagnosed after 1993 (n=4), all subjects improved in symptoms. For subjects with OA continuing same job (n=11), 5 improved in symptoms, 5 remain unchanged, and 1 worsened in symptoms. For subjects with OA who worked elsewhere in factory (n=10), 9 improved in symptoms, and 1 remained unchanged. |