Occupational Asthma

Recent developments in occupational asthma research and clinical practice are the focus of this publication. It discusses the contribution of occupational exposures to chemical and biological agents to the burden of asthma in adults, powerful approaches like the use of apprentices studies, which include young individuals, naive with regard to occupational exposures, and diagnostic criteria for work related and work aggravated asthma. Specific emphasis is given to exposure response relationships for allergen exposure, large gene-environment studies and whole genome screening approaches. Management, prevention and surveillance are covered as well. Diagnostic rules are introduced to rationalize the diagnostic workup and improve the cost benefit of surveillance schemes. Issues in the design of population studies are discussed to assist the readers in designing and conducting their own study. This comprehensive volume presents new developments changing the occupational asthma field in the coming years.