Med. Pr. 2011;62(2):163-173 |
CLEANERS' ASTHMA - ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSTICS, PROPHYLAXIS AND MEDICAL CERTIFICATION |
Lipińska-Ojrzanowska |
Agnieszka Lipińska-Ojrzanowska, Tomasz Wittczak, Cezary Pałczyński, Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa |
Abstract
Asthma is the most common occupational allergic respiratory disease. The results of several current studies reveal also high risk of work-related asthma among cleaners. This kind of work may increase the risk of allergic as well as non-allergic asthma. However, the mechanism by which inflammation in respiratory airways is induced by cleaning chemicals is still unknown. This paper shows the results of numerous studies regarding exposure and respiratory symptoms among cleaning personnel. The increased risk of respiratory diseases among cleaners suggests the need to educate workers and to devise safety methods during multiuse cleaning both in occupational settings and in private households.
Key words
occupational asthma, cleaners, diagnostics, prophylaxis