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Bioaerosol-Induced Hypersensitivity Diseases
Published in Harriet A. Burge, Bioaerosols, 2020
Cory E. Cookingham, William R. Solomon
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (also known as allergic rhinitis or, in its seasonal recurrent form, hay fever) is the most commonly encountered atopic condition and is characterized by paroxysmal sneezing, nasal blockage, rhinorrhea (runny nose), ocular tearing, and pruritus (itching) of the eyes, nose, and throat. Occasionally, constitutional symptoms of fatigue and “grippy” feelings may be present, especially where sleep loss or poor sleep quality results from nasal obstruction. However, when these vague complaints occur alone, they are not easily related to allergy. Symptoms may be perennial, seasonal, or associated with defined episodes of specific exposure. Physical signs may include darkening of the lower eyelids (“allergic shiners”), reddening of the eyes, puffy eyelids, and a pale, swollen nasal mucosa. Stained smears of nasal secretions typically reveal eosinophils (a white blood cell that selectively stains with the aniline dye eosin). Eosinophil numbers also may increase modestly in peripheral blood. Immediate skin reactivity to relevant environmental allergens is often positive. Serum IgE specific for these allergens may also be detected by in vitro tests (e.g., RAST, ELISA, etc.). In one study (Broder et al., 1974b) the disease was shown to go into remission in less than 10% of patients followed into adult life if allergen exposure continues unabated.
Biological hazards
Published in Sue Reed, Dino Pisaniello, Geza Benke, Principles of Occupational Health & Hygiene, 2020
Margaret Davidson, Ryan Kift, Sue Reed
Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide (Adelman, Casale and Corren, 2012). Symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hayfever) are associated with a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, itchy, sore eyes and a sore throat. Common triggers include pollen, fungi, dust mite, pet dander and cockroaches (Dao and Bernstein, 2018). Agents that maybe be an issue in workplaces include grain dust, latex, a-amylase in flour, biological enzymes, fish and seafood proteins and wood dusts (Greiner et al., 2011).
What makes a healthy home? A study in Auckland, New Zealand
Published in Building Research & Information, 2022
Nipuni Nilakshini Wimalasena, Alice Chang-Richards, Kevin I.-Kai Wang, Kim Natasha Dirks
Nearby radon concentration was also not identified as a ‘critical’ housing-related factor. According to the 2016 indoor radon concentration survey, the median radon concentration in New Zealand buildings was 23 Bq/m3, while in the Auckland region, it was found to be 15 Bq/m3 (Ardouin & Wooding, 2016). Compared to indoor radon concentrations found in most other countries, the level measured in New Zealand is considered to be low (Ardouin & Wooding, 2016). Therefore, New Zealanders may not be aware of the health burden attributed to indoor radon exposure. Surprisingly, occupants did not identify the significance of pollen exposure on public health although pollen allergies are common in New Zealand and trigger both asthma and hay fever (Allergy New Zealand, 2018).
Associations between grass pollen exposures in utero and in early life with food allergy in 12-month-old infants
Published in International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2022
Nugroho Harry Susanto, Adrian J Lowe, Agus Salim, Jennifer J. Koplin, Mimi L. K. Tang, Noor H. A. Suaini, Anne-Louise Ponsonby, Katrina J. Allen, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Bircan Erbas
We used mother’s age in years, mother’s history of smoking during pregnancy, and ultraviolet exposure during pregnancy as potential adjustments for the association between pollen exposures and the outcome. Ultraviolet exposure was defined by cumulative measurement of daily ultraviolet level in Melbourne. We considered mother’s history of hay fever and food allergy as effect modifiers for the association, based on results from other studies and our own, when we considered early-life pollen exposures (Pyrhonen et al. 2011; Koplin et al. 2013). Mother’s history of hay fever and food allergy based on maternal response to the question ‘does anyone in your family suffer asthma, eczema, hay fever, food allergy (please specify food)’ (Koplin et al. 2013).
Associations between home renovation and asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among preschool children in Wuhan, China
Published in International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2022
Xiaotong Ren, Yunhao Liu, Lian Hu, Yunquan Zhang, Hui Xu, Yuqin Shi, Chao Quan, Zhuohui Zhao, Zeqin Tan, Yeqing Tong, Dan Norbäck, Ling Zhang
The study focused on allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis and eczema diagnosed by the doctor, or symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in the previous year (2018). Incidence of allergic diseases was defined as following questions: • Has the child ever had doctor-diagnosed asthma from birth to this survey?•Has the child ever had doctor-diagnosed hay fever or allergic rhinitis?• Has the child ever had doctor-diagnosed eczema or allergic dermatitis?