Indices of asthma among atopic and non-atopic woodworkers

Aims: To investigate the relation between wood dust exposure and different indices of asthma among woodworkers and non-exposed subjects. Methods: A total of 302 woodworkers and 71 non-exposed subjects answered a respiratory health questionnaire, underwent a non-specific bronchial provocation test using the Yan method, and received a skin prick test with 12 common inhalant allergens. Subgroups performed repeated peak flow monitoring and underwent a reversibility test. A total of 347 dust measurements among 234 woodworkers were performed with passive dust monitors. Results: The overall geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) exposure to inhalable dust was 0.96 (2.02) mg/m(3). There was a tendency to increased risk of asthma among atopic woodworkers compared to atopic non-exposed subjects, with ORs between 3.0 (0.8-11.9) ( symptomatic BHR) and 1.3 (0.5-4.2) ( work related symptoms). In woodworkers, asthma was associated with atopy, with ORs between 7.4 (2.8-19.7) ( symptomatic BHR) and 4.2 (2.4-7.7) ( asthma symptoms). Asthma was related to dust level, most pronounced for symptomatic BHR among atopics, with OR 22.9 (1.0-523.6) for the highest compared to the lowest dust level. For work related asthma symptoms the association with dust level was seen only for non-atopics. Conclusions: Wood dust exposure was associated with asthma, despite a low dust level compared to other studies. Atopy was an important effect modifier in the association between asthma and wood dust exposure.