Biomonitoring of volatile organic compounds and organophosphorus flame retardands in commercial aircrews after "fume and smell events".

Health risks to humans after "fume and smell events", short-term incidents on aircrafts that are accompanied by unpleasant odour or visible smoke, remain a subject of controversy. We assessed exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) and organophosphorus compounds (OPC) by biomonitoring in 375 aircrew members after self-reported "fume and smell events" and in 88 persons of the general population. A total of 20 parameters were analysed in blood and urine by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Median levels of acetone in blood and urine and 2-propanol in blood were elevated in aircrews compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Additionally, elevated peak exposures, best estimated by the 95th percentiles, were observed in aircrews for n-heptane and n-octane in blood, and acetone, 2,5-hexanedione and o-cresol in urine. Only the maximum observed levels of 2,5-hexandione in urine (768 µg/L) and toluene in blood (77 µg/L) in aircrew members were higher than the current biological exposure indices (BEI® levels) (500 and 20 µg/L, respectively) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (US-ACGIH) for workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane and toluene, two well-accepted human neurotoxicants. Low-level exposures to n-hexane and toluene could be also observed in controls. The majority of OPC parameters in urine, including those of neurotoxic ortho-isomers of tricresylphosphate, were below the limit of quantitation in both aircrews and controls. Our comparative VOC and OPC analyses in biological samples of a large number of aircrew members and controls suggest that exposures are similar in both groups and generally low.

Animal exposure, sensitization, and allergic symptoms in first-year veterinary medicine students.

The AllergoVet study longitudinally examines the influence of animal exposure on the development of sensitization and allergic diseases among veterinary medicine students. In this group, contact to animals usually existed long before the study began. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to investigate lifelong animal species-specific exposure and the prevalence of sensitizations and allergic symptoms already existing before the start of the study. Questionnaire data, including exposure history, were summarized to determine the duration and intensity of animal-related exposure as well as the prevalence of allergic symptoms to animals. Serologically, specific IgE was determined against ubiquitous inhalant allergens (atopy screen sx1) and against animal allergens using ImmunoCAP. The association between animal-specific sensitization, allergic symptoms, and exposure was analyzed using Fisher's exact test or Cochran-Armitage trend test. All study participants (n = 313) had previous contact with animals, with dogs mentioned most frequently (91.1%) followed by cats (89.5%) and horses (72.2%). Sensitization to ubiquitous allergens (positive sx1 value) was detected in 38.4% of subjects. Approximately 11%, 7%, and 5% were sensitized to cats, dogs, and horses, respectively. Only a small proportion of these sensitizations were associated with self-reported symptoms (41% for cat, 9% for dog, and 13% for horse). While no significant association between animal-specific exposure and sensitization was found for cats and horses, a clear trend emerged for dogs. With increasing duration of exposure to dogs, the number of dog-specific sensitizations decreased significantly (p = 0.0069). Furthermore, a decreasing trend in sx1 sensitization was noted with increasing cat (p = 0.0288) and dog (p = 0.0107) exposure. None of the subjects who grew up on a farm (n = 40) had any sensitization to animals. The sensitization prevalence determined among first-year students in veterinary medicine roughly corresponds to that in the general population. Most animal sensitizations were not clinically relevant. In this collective, a protective effect of increasing exposure to animals in childhood and adolescence was found on sensitization, which was particularly pronounced during contact with dogs.

ATS/ ERS spirometry quality criteria in real life. Results of two occupational field studies.

Spirometry is a widely used test and the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) provide standardised recommendations. However, detailed information on test quality is often incomplete in publications. In light of the 2005 ATS/ERS recommendations, we investigated the acceptability and repeatability criteria of spirometry performed under occupational field conditions in 242 practicing welders (WELDOX study, median age 41.5 years, all male) and 312 first-year veterinary students (AllergoVet study, median age 20.0 years, 84.3% female). At least three acceptable or usable measurements could be identified for 233 welders and 305 students. The repeatability for welders was 96.1% for the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and 97.0% for forced vital capacity (FVC). The corresponding results for students were 95.7% and 95.4%, respectively. The overall repeatability of test sessions at the 150-mL level was 90.5% (219/242) for welders and 90.1% (281/312) for students. Spirometry can be performed with reliable quality in an occupational field setting.

Skin symptoms in veterinary assistant staff and veterinarians: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary assistants and veterinarians are at an increased risk of developing an occupational skin disease, for example, irritant/allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria and hand eczema (HE). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of skin problems and the influence of predisposing factors especially among veterinary assistants. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among veterinary assistant staff (n = 103) and veterinarians (n = 19). A questionnaire, specific IgE determination and photographs of hands were evaluated for skin symptoms. Logistic regression models assessed predisposing factors. RESULTS: Over 50% (n = 62/122) of our study population reported hand eczema (HE) in the last 12 months (1-year prevalence). Twenty-seven subjects reported redness and contact urticaria directly after animal contact, 35 had a positive history of allergic contact dermatitis. HE was associated with (i) increased frequency of hand washing (11-15 times per day; OR 4.15, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.18-14.6, p = 0.027, univariate model) and (ii) unprotected contact to fluids and tensides >5 times per day (OR 4.56, CI 95% 1.53-13.6, multivariate model). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of self-reported HE among staff in veterinary practices. Excessive hand washing, unprotected contact with irritants and long-term glove use should be avoided.