title: Occupational risk factors for rhinitis in greenhouse flower and ornamental plant growers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between rhinitis, exposure to workplace air contaminants, and occupational characteristics in greenhouse flower and ornamental plant (OP) growers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of growers cultivating such crops and participating in the European Farmers' Study was selected for a cross-sectional assessment of (1) rhinitis in the last year, (2) sensitization to workplace allergens, and (3) occupation characteristics. Associations between variables were assessed through univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine greenhouse flower and OP growers participated in the study (mean, 48.6; SD, 10.2 years; 35 men). Rhinitis was reported by 12 (31%) of them and was significantly related to sensitization to workplace allergens (odds ratio [OR], 13.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.59-67.23) and pesticide application by hand pump (OR, 12.50; 95% CI, 2.00-78.05). After adjustment for these variables rhinitis emerged as significantly related to number of hours worked inside the greenhouse per day (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.05-3.23).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rhinitis is often reported by greenhouse flower and OP growers and is related to sensitization to workplace allergens and pesticide application by hand pump. The disease shows a dose-response relationship with the number of hours spent inside the greenhouse per day, a finding supporting a causal link with greenhouse exposure.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Pneumologia, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riu
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monsó
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magarolas
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Radon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morera
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andreo
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D010944:Plants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010575:Pesticides