Occupational asthma in hairdressers: results of inhalation tests with bleaching powder.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the extent to which the clinical diagnosis of bleach-induced asthma can be confirmed by laboratory tests and to determine the role of work-related exposure to bleaching powder in a group of hairdressers with respiratory complaints.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 55 female hairdressers who had regular contact with various hair products and a clinical history of job-related rhinitic and/or asthmatic symptoms. We divided the individuals into two groups: group I, with asthmatic symptoms (n = 38), and group II, without asthmatic symptoms (control group, n = 17). All subjects underwent immunological, pulmonary-function, and nonspecific bronchial provocation tests, and 46 study participants were subjected to a standardized bleaching-powder test in a designated chamber.


RESULTS
There were 13 positive responses to bleaching powder in the skin test, and 32 individuals showed positive bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine; positive responses to the challenge with bleaching powder occurred in 9 women (22% of those tested). None of the women in group II reacted to bleaching powder. There was no significant difference between persons with a positive or a negative bronchial provocation test with regard to the evaluated parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
In the diagnostic workup of hairdressers with work-related respiratory symptoms, bleaching powder is one of the products that need to be tested. As not every patient with an asthmatic response to bleaching powder shows a positive response to the acetylcholine challenge test, in doubtful cases a specific exposure test may be recommendable.
Schwaiblmair
M
M
Abteilung für Pneumologie, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Germany.
Vogelmeier
C
C
Fruhmann
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001461:Barbering; D001505:Beauty Culture; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016877:Oxidants / Q000009:adverse effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D006203:Hair Preparations; D016877:Oxidants; C031276:ammonium peroxydisulfate; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate