8290451 Work-related nasal symptoms and sensitization among workers in the Norwegian salmon processing industry

<h3>Objective</h3> Workers in the salmon processing industry are exposed to bioaerosols comprising proteins, including different allergens. Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of work-related rhinitis among these workers, but the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of work-related nasal symptoms among workers in Norwegian salmon processing plants, and the prevalence of sensitization to salmon among exposed symptomatic workers. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> A cross-sectional study was performed among 518 workers in 9 Norwegian salmon processing plants. Questionnaire data comprised information about specific nasal symptoms during the workday. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed using study-specific extracts from salmon: raw and cooked muscle, outer mucus and skin. Crude odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess possible differences in self-reported nasal symptoms between process line workers and office/administrative workers. In addition, the percentages of positive SPTs among process line workers with at least one nasal symptom were calculated. <h3>Results</h3> Process line workers (n=488) reported more work-related nasal symptoms than office/administrative workers (n=30); runny nose: 50.1% vs 24.1% (OR=3.2,CI:1.3-7.5), sneezing: 48.5% vs 23.3% (OR=3.1,CI:1.3-7.4), nasal congestion: 43.3% vs 26.7% (OR=2.1,CI:0.9-4.8), and itching: 37.2% vs 23.3% (OR=1.5,CI:0.8-4.6). Among 313 symptomatic process line workers, 7.2% had at least one positive SPT with reactions to raw muscle (5.8%), cooked muscle (1.3%), outer mucus (3.8%), and skin (0.3%). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Process line workers in the Norwegian salmon processing industry had a higher prevalence of work-related runny nose and sneezing than office/administrative workers in the same industry, suggesting a positive association with occupational exposure. The low prevalence of positive SPTs among symptomatic process line workers indicates that both non-allergic and allergic mechanisms may contribute to nasal symptoms among such workers.