Low level irritant exposure has greater risk for occupational asthma than sensitisers

This is a difficult study to interpret as the prevalance of asthma is probably underestimated and the exposures not related to the date of onset of the asthma. Never-the-less exposure to low level occupational irritants such as combustion products and environmental tobacco smoke had a higher population attributable risk for asthma (6.7%) than exposre to occupational allergens (4.7%). This supports the role of exposure to irritants at "usual" levels in the aetiology of asthma.

References

	Dumas O, Laurent E, Bousquet J, Metspalu A, Milani L, Kauffmann F, Le Moual N. , Occupational irritants and asthma: an Estonian cross-sectional study of 34 000 adults., Eur Respir J, 2014;43:647-656,doi:10.1183/09031936

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