The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between change in lung function and cumulative exposure to wood dust.In total, 1,112 woodworkers (927 males, 185 females) and 235 reference workers (104 males, 185 females) participated in a 6-yr longitudinal study. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), height and weight were measured, and questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms, wood dust exposure and smoking habits were collected. Cumulative inhalable wood dust exposure was assessed using a study-specific job exposure matrix and exposure time.The median (range) for cumulative wood dust exposure was 3.75 (0-7.55) mg?year?m -3. A doseresponse relationship between cumulative wood dust exposure and percent annual decrease in FEV1 was suggested for female workers. This was confirmed in a linear regression model adjusted for confounders, including smoking, height and age. An additional difference of -14.50 mL?yr -1 and -27.97 mL?yr , respectively, compared with non-/low-exposed females. For females, a positive trend between wood dust exposure and the cumulative incidence proportion of FEV1/FVC ,70% was suggested.In conclusion, in the present low-exposed cohort, female woodworkers had an accelerated decline in lung function, which may be clinically relevant.

Sensitization prevalence to beech and pine wood measured by tailored ImmunoCAPs was not correlated to allergic symptoms. We recommend the application of CCD tools to assess the relevance of individual wood sensitization.

Purpose Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a major cause of occupational disease. The aim was to review the relation between exposure to occupational irritants and ICD and the prognosis of ICD. Methods Through a systematic search, 1516 titles were identified, and 48 studies were included in the systematic review. Results We found that the evidence for an association between ICD and occupational irritants was strong for wet work, moderate for detergents and non-alcoholic disinfectants, and strong for a combination. The highest quality studies provided limited evidence for an association with use of occlusive gloves without other exposures and moderate evidence with simultaneous exposure to other wet work irritants. The evidence for an association between minor ICD and exposure to metalworking fluids was moderate. Regarding mechanical exposures, the literature was scarce and the evidence limited. We found that the prognosis for complete healing of ICD is poor, but improves after decrease of exposure through change of occupation or work tasks. There was no substantial evidence for an influence of gender, age, or household exposures. Inclusion of atopic dermatitis in the analysis did not alter the risk of ICD. Studies were at risk of bias, mainly due to selection and misclassification of exposure and outcome. This may have attenuated the results. Conclusion This review reports strong evidence for an association between ICD and a combination of exposure to wet work and non-alcoholic disinfectants, moderate for metalworking fluids, limited for mechanical and glove exposure, and a strong evidence for a poor prognosis of ICD.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of new respiratory symptoms in relation to wood dust exposure in a 6-yr follow-up study.A total of 1,377 woodworkers (1,137 males; 240 females) and 297 reference workers (137 males; 160 females) participated. Data on respiratory symptoms, employment and smoking habits were collected. Wood dust exposure was assessed from baseline dust measurements, and cumulative wood dust exposure was assessed by study-specific job exposure matrices and exposure time.The geometric mean (geometric SD) dust level decreased during the study period from 0.94 (2.1) to 0.60 (1.6) mg?m -3 . Adjusted analysis revealed positive associations for cumulative incidence proportion of chronic bronchitis and daily coughing for female woodworkers versus female reference workers. The cumulative incidence proportion of daily coughing and chronic bronchitis were found to be associated with baseline wood dust exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for daily coughing (with reference to the lowest exposure quartile) was 1.6 (0.6-4.3), 3.2 (0.9-6.8) and 3.8 (1.5-9.7), respectively, in the second and third lowest and the highest quartile. The figures for chronic bronchitis were, accordingly, 2.3 (0.4-14.5), 3.0 (0.5-18.7) and 6.0 (1.2-28.8).In conclusion, female woodworkers in this low exposure cohort showed an increased incidence of coughing and bronchitis, whereas no relations to wood dust exposure were seen for male woodworkers.