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Occupational Exposure to Urban Air Pollution and Allergic Diseases

Author

Listed:
  • Luigi Vimercati

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy)

  • Maria Franca Gatti

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Antonio Baldassarre

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eustachio Nettis

    (Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy)

  • Nicola Favia

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Marco Palma

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gabriella Lucia Maria Martina

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Elisabetta Di Leo

    (Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy)

  • Marina Musti

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari 70124, Italy)

Abstract

Exposure to air pollution is associated with increased morbidity from cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, respiratory and allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate allergic diseases in 111 traffic wardens compared to a control group of 101 administrative employees. All participating subjects underwent a physical examination, in which a complete medical history was taken and a dedicated allergological questionnaire administered. Spirometry, Specific IgE dosage (RAST) and skin prick tests (SPT) were done. Diagnostic investigations such as the nasal cytology, a specific nasal provocation test and rhinomanometry were also performed. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 11. The percentage of subjects with a diagnosis of allergy was higher in the exposed workers than in the controls. As regards the clinical tests, the positivity was higher for the group of exposed subjects. Among the exposed workers, those who worked on foot or motorcycle had a higher positivity in clinical trials compared to the traffic wardens who used the car. Our study showed a higher percentage of allergic subjects in the group of workers exposed to outdoor pollutants than in the controls. These results suggest that allergological tests should be included in the health surveillance protocols for workers exposed to outdoor pollutants.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Vimercati & Maria Franca Gatti & Antonio Baldassarre & Eustachio Nettis & Nicola Favia & Marco Palma & Gabriella Lucia Maria Martina & Elisabetta Di Leo & Marina Musti, 2015. "Occupational Exposure to Urban Air Pollution and Allergic Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:10:p:12977-12987:d:57232
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Luigi De Maria & Stefania Sponselli & Antonio Caputi & Giuseppe Delvecchio & Gianmarco Giannelli & Antonella Pipoli & Francesco Cafaro & Silvia Zagaria & Domenica Cavone & Rodolfo Sardone & Luigi Vime, 2023. "Indoor Radon Concentration Levels in Healthcare Settings: The Results of an Environmental Monitoring in a Large Italian University Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-8, March.
    2. Fabio Barbone & Dolores Catelan & Riccardo Pistelli & Gabriele Accetta & Daniele Grechi & Franca Rusconi & Annibale Biggeri, 2019. "A Panel Study on Lung Function and Bronchial Inflammation among Children Exposed to Ambient SO 2 from an Oil Refinery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Luigi Vimercati & Antonio Baldassarre & Maria Franca Gatti & Luigi De Maria & Antonio Caputi & Angelica A. Dirodi & Francesco Cuccaro & Raffaello Maria Bellino, 2016. "Respiratory Health in Waste Collection and Disposal Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-8, June.

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