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Table 1 Prevalence and aetiological agents in occupational rhinitis (adapted from reference [9]).

From: EAACI position paper on occupational rhinitis

Agents

Occupation

Prevalence (%)

High molecular weight agents

Laboratory animals

Laboratory workers

6–33

Other animal-derived allergens

Swine confinement workers

8–23

Insects & mites

Laboratory workers, farm workers

2–60

Grain dust

Grain elevators

28–64

Flour

Bakers

18–29

Latex

Hospital workers, textile factory

9–20

Other plant allergens

Tobacco, carpet, hot pepper, tea, coffee, cocoa, dried fruit and saffron workers

5–36

Biological enzymes

Pharmaceutical & detergent industries

3–87

Fish and seafood protein

Trout, prawn, shrimp, crab & clam workers; aquarists & fish-food factory workers

5–24

Low molecular weight agents

Diisocyanates

Painters, urethane mould workers

36–42

Anhydrides

Epoxy resin production, chemical workers, electric condenser workers

10–48

Wood dust

Carpentry & furniture making

10–36

Metals (platinum)

Platinum refinery

43

Drugs (psyllium, spiramycin, piperacillin)

Health care & pharmaceutical workers

9–41

Chemicals

Reactive dye, synthetic fibre, cotton, persulphate, hairdressing, pulp & paper, shoe manufacturing

3–30