NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Risk factors for asthma among cosmetology professionals in Colorado.

Kreiss K; Esfahani RS; Antão VCS; Odencrantz J; Lezotte DC; Hoffman RE

J Occup Environ Med 2006 Oct; 48(10):1062-1069

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000237348.32645.eb

20031133

After receiving several reports of occupational asthma among cosmetology professionals, we studied the prevalence, work-attributable risk, and tasks associated with asthma in this industry. We selected a stratified random sample of cosmeticians, manicurists, barbers, and cosmetologists holding licenses in Colorado for a mail survey instrument. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma among the 1883 respondents (68% response rate) was 9.3%; of these, 67 (38%) developed asthma after entering the cosmetology profession. Multivariate analyses showed that hairstyling, application of artificial nails, and shaving and honing were significantly associated with asthma arising in the course of employment (P < 0.005) with relative risks of 2.6-2.9. The increased risk of asthma with onset during employment among cosmetologists is probably attributable to their exposure to sensitizers and irritants in tasks demonstrated to be associated with asthma.

Risk-factors; Risk-analysis; Bronchial-asthma; Occupational-diseases; Occupational-exposure; Diseases; Cosmetics-workers; Cosmetics-industry; Cosmetics; Exposure-assessment

Kathleen Kreiss, MD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505

JOEMFM

20061001

Journal Article

kxk2@cdc.gov

2007

10

1076-2752

DRDS

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

WV; CO