Prevention of work-related airway allergies

Occupational allergic disorders are commonly reported illnesses arising from exposure to allergens. An allergic disorder is a significant problem because, if exposure continues, the symptoms may worsen and the acquired hypersensitivity may become irreversible. Hence, the consequences of allergen exposure can be far-reaching. Workers’ health should therefore be protected by managing exposure to allergens.
One of the tools available for exposure management is the application of occupational exposure limits (OELs). An OEL is the maximum permissible occupational exposure level to a given airborne substance. OELs are applied by the government and the business community.
OELs are derived from ‘toxicology-based recommended occupational exposure limits’, which are based on scientific knowledge. One example of the latter type of exposure limit is a ‘health-based recommended occupational exposure limit’ for a non-carcinogenic substance. Such a limit specifies a level of exposure to an airborne substance, a threshold level, at or below which it may reasonably be expected that there is no risk of adverse health effects.
However, the validity of using the established procedures and methods to calculate health-based OELs for allergens has been questioned. Of particular significance in this regard is the question of whether it is possible to determine a threshold level. There are grounds for believing that any exposure, however small, entails some risk of sensitisation and of developing allergic respiratory disorders if exposure continues.
At the request of the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, a specially convened committee of the Health Council has sought to identify the best procedure and method for calculating recommended OELs for allergens which are inhaled in the workplace. In addition, the committee has considered whether the introduction of periodic screening would reduce the impact of these allergens on workers’ health.

Committee

• T. Smid, professor of working conditions, Free university, Amsterdam; and, occupational hygienist/epidemiologist, KLM Health Services, Schiphol-Oost, chairman
• E.C. van den Aker, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, The Hague, advisor
• A. Burdorf, epidemiologist, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical , Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam
• R. Gerth van Wink, professor of allergology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam
• D.J.J. Heederik, professor of risk assessment in occupational epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht
• G.F. Houben, Toxicologist, TNO Quality of Life, Zeist
• H. Van Loveren, professor of immunotoxicology, University of Maastricht; Laboratory for Toxicology Pathology and Genetics, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bitlhoven
• T.M. Pal, occupational physician, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam
• G.B.G.J. van Rooy, occupational physician, Netherlands Expertise Centre for Occupational Respiratory Disorders; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht; and, Arbo Unie, Utrecht
• J.S. van der Zee, lung specialist, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
• dr. J.M. Rijnkels, Health Council, The Hague, scientific secretary