Occupational allergies and asthma are common diseases in the developed world. The NIOH has been running a referral Occupational Medicine Clinic since 1972 to assist medical practitioners with confirmation of disease in workers and with applications for compensation. The NIOH also conducts various collaborative studies into occupational allergies and asthma in a variety of industries, including bakery workers and workers in a spice mill.

Contact dermatitis is a common occupational skin disease that should be diagnosed early to prevent disability. A description of cases seen at the NIOH Dermatology Clinic is currently under way to assist in preventing contact dermatitis in workers by describing cases and determine employment outcome of contact dermatitis cases at the NIOH occupational dermatology clinic. Data is also analysed to identify new important allergens & irritants which cause contact dermatitis in the workplace.

The NIOH also conducts various collaborative studies into occupational allergies and asthma in a variety of industries, including bakery workers and workers in a spice mill.

The following projects are classified under this focus area:

• Sensitization to maize and weed pollens among maize farm workers in South Africa – Planned research
• Mushroom hypersensitivity amongst mushroom farm workers in South Africa – Planned research
• Occupational skin disease in the construction industry – Planned research
• Contact dermatitis seen at the NIOH dermatology clinic – Complete
• Determinants of occupational allergy to spices in a spice mill – Complete
• Occupational asthma cases assessed at the NIOH occupational medicine referral clinic – Complete
• Occupational risk ractors and interventions for bakers allergy and asthma among supermarket bakery workers – Complete