Table 1.
Characteristics of the study groups
| Reference | Moderately exposed | Highly exposed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beforehand: reference (n = 31) | 23 | 8 | – |
| Exposed (n = 32) | – | 9 | 23 |
| History-/exposure measurement based (N = 63) | 23 | 17 | 23 |
| Exclusion of two subjects suspected of current smoking (n = 2) | 22 | 17 | 22 |
| Age (years) [mean; median (min–max)] | 46; 49 (23–62) | 46; 48 (24–60) | 39; 41 (25–58) |
| Duration of exposure (years in this work) [mean; median (min–max)] | 9.0; 9.1(0.6–34.4) | 9.1; 10.4 (0.4–33.9) | 6.8; 7.0 (0.3–21.8) |
| 1 year (number) | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Ex-smoker (n; %) | 11; 50 | 9; 53 | 7; 32 |
| Never smoked (n; %) | 11; 50 | 8; 47 | 15; 68 |
| Positive atopy statusa (n; %) | 7; 35e | 6; 38f | 11; 50 |
| Allergy (n; %) | 3; 14 | 4; 24 | 5; 23 |
| Chronic diseaseb (n; %) | 12; 55 | 10; 59 | 8; 36 |
| Disease of the nosec (n; %) | 6; 27 | 2; 12 | 7; 32 |
| Disease of the airwaysd (n; %) | 2; 9 | 2; 12 | 2; 9 |
| Chemical sensitivity scale (CSS) (median; min–max) | 57; 46–74 | 57; 17–84 | 50; 32–73 |
aSensitization to ubiquitous inhalation allergens (determination of specific IgE antibodies using the screen test (sx1); sIgE > 0.35 kU/L are seen as positive)
bMalfunction of the thyroid gland, migraine, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, others
cHistory of nasal surgery, polyps with medical diagnosis, others
dChronic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, others
eOnly 20 subjects could be tested
fOnly 16 subjects could be tested