Occupational exposures and asthma among nursing professionals.
OBJECTIVE
To identify occupational exposure risk factors associated with the development of new-onset asthma in nurses.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was administered to a sample of licensed Texas nurses (response rate 70%) and compared to three other healthcare professional groups. Nursing professionals were defined based on self-reported longest held job. Outcome variables were physician-diagnosed new-onset asthma after entry into the healthcare profession and symptoms associated with bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR). Occupational exposures were ascertained through a job-exposure matrix, grouped into four categories: cleaning-related tasks, use of powdered latex gloves, administration of aerosolised medications, and tasks involving adhesive compounds, glues and/or solvents.


RESULTS
After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, atopy, smoking, body mass index and seniority, reported asthma was significantly greater among nursing professionals involved in medical instrument cleaning (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.62) and exposure to general cleaning products and disinfectants (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.94). Use of powdered latex gloves during 1992-2000 was associated with 1.6 times (95% CI 1.01 to 2.50) the odds of reported asthma. In univariate analysis, exposure to adhesives, glues and/or solvents was associated with a twofold increase in the odds of reported asthma, but not after adjustment for covariates. Similarly, the odds of BHR-related symptoms were significantly greater among nursing professionals exposed to general cleaning products and disinfectants (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.21) and adhesives, glues and/or solvents used in patient care (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.12).


CONCLUSIONS
Among nursing professionals, workplace exposures to cleaning products and disinfectants increase the risk of new-onset asthma.
Arif
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The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, 9201 University City Blvd, CHHS Building 429, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. aarif@uncc.edu
Delclos
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Serra
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D000269:Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009740:Nursing Staff; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010820:Physicians; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace
D000269:Adhesives; D003902:Detergents; D004202:Disinfectants; D007840:Latex; D012997:Solvents