Occupational allergic and non-allergic diseases of the airways and lungs due to mold exposure

Occupational allergic and non-allergic diseases of the airways and lungs due to mold exposure Occupational asthma (OA)/rhinitis (OR) due to molds is an extremely rare disease. Recent reports from Finland of high numbers of OA due to mold exposure have to be interpreted with caution as most of the diagnoses are based on challenge test results without skin or in vitro sensitization. Occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) due to molds occurs in many different occupations, especially in workers with exposure to metal working fluids. Non-allergic diseases of the airways and lungs due to mold exposure comprise infections in immunocompromised subjects and mucous membranes irritation syndrome (MMIS). It is important to differentiate these diagnoses from idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) and organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS). Lung cancer due to mold exposure is beyond the scope of this review.