Occupational and environmental influences on respiratory disease

Question 1

Exhaled Nitric Oxide

Answer 1

Machines measure this in ppb.
Increased in Asthma.

Question 2

Asthma and occupation

Answer 2

15% of burden related to occupation.
Common causes:
HMW: grain, flour, laboratory animals, enzymes, sea food.
LMW: sterilising agents, metal working fluids, chemicals, metals.

Question 3

Asthma and environment

Answer 3

5-16% in the world have asthma.
Increased massively in second half of 20th century.

Question 4

Asthma and pollution

Answer 4

Infectious agents, fungi, pets, air pollution.
Air pollution - inducing allergy less clear - increasing evidence.

Question 5

COPD and occupation

Answer 5

15% of burden related to occupation.
Other causes include exposures such as: silica, coal, grain, cotton, cadmium.

Question 6

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Answer 6

An inflammation of the alveoli within the lung caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled agents.
Very significant environmental influences - farmers lung, bird fancier’s lung.