Allergy-Related Disorders in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Working conditions in the construction industry have improved in many industrialized countries, but heavy physical work with recurrent exposure to chemical agents, dust, and climatic influences still represents considerable risk for construction workers and may affect their health. The aim of this review is to analyze available data of the literature on allergy-related respiratory and skin disorders with emphasis on a preventive appraisal in order to produce statements and recommendations based on research evidence. The most common agents involved in the construction industry as a cause of occupational asthma (OA) in industrialized countries are isocyanates, wood dust, resins, glues, cobalt, and chromium. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an immunologic cell-mediated response to a sensitizing agent and the most common sensitizing agents associated with construction workers are epoxy resins, thiurams and thiazoles, and chromates. Medical surveillance must consider individual risk factors such as differences in individual susceptibility and sensitization to agents at workplace. Once work-related disorder is confirmed, adequate fitness for work should be assessed for the worker impaired by health condition. A reliable diagnosis of an index case is a sentinel event that may reveal risks for workers with similar exposure, leading to a revised risk assessment at the workplace that should reduce the risk and prevent further cases.

The relationship between occupation and dry eye

“…Their work is characterized by a high exposure to dust, chemicals and toxins, and climatical influences [25,26], which could all be mechanisms leading to dry eye symptoms. Numerous studies have similarly shown an increased risk of dermatitis and asthma in these workers [27].…”

Smart eHealth System for Asthma Attack Prevention and Environmental Factors Monitoring

“…AQI plays a significant role in determining the quality of a route, with higher AQI readings indicating poorer air quality, which can negatively affect asthma patients and lead to attacks. Construction sites contain substances such as chemical compounds and wood dust that can trigger asthma symptoms [13]. Traffic jams increase AQI, directly causing asthma attacks [14].…”

Respiratory health evaluation of construction workers using questionnaire

“…These vapours are not only neurotoxic but also cause airway abnormality apart from their malignant potential [2][3][4]. The exposure to solvent, welding fumes have variable effect from mild symptoms like rhinitis to autonomic dysfunction as well as respiratory airway disease [5,6]. The welding fumes also contain gases like ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide significantly affecting human health directly due to inhalation of gases and indirectly due to greenhouse effect of the emissions [7].…”